Chirac 'to accept deadline for Iraq to disarm'

French President Jacques Chirac today said he was willing to accept a 30-day deadline for Iraq to disarm – provided the move was endorsed by the chief UN weapons inspectors.

Speaking before US President George W Bush was to hold an emergency summit with his top allies backing war, Chirac said the inspectors will be telling the Security Council next week that they believe it is possible to disarm Saddam Hussein peacefully.