Saddam hits back with global war threat

Saddam Hussein tonight warned that if Iraq were attackd, it would take the war anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water".

The Iraqi president’s threat was made during a meeting with military commanders and his remarks were carried by the official Iraqi News Agency.

"When the enemy starts a large-scale battle, he must realise that the battle between us will be open wherever there is sky, land and water in the entire world," Saddam told the commanders, according to the news agency.

Saddam also denied that Iraq has any weapons of mass destruction, as the United States and Britain claim.

"Are weapons of mass destruction a needle that you can conceal in a head cover or in the scarf of an old woman that (UN weapons) inspectors cannot find?" Saddam asked.

"There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq," he added, joking: "Well, give us time and the necessary means and we will produce any weapon they want and then we will invite them to come and destroy them."

The statement was released as US President George W Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and the leaders of Spain and Portugal met in the Azores and agreed on one final attempt to win world backing tomorrow for the swift disarmament of Saddam.

"Tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world," the president said at a news conference.

Bush and allied leaders agreed on one final attempt to win world backing Monday for the swift disarmament of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"Now we make a final appeal to make a strong, unified message on behalf of the international community," British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

Bush urged other nations to support “the immediate and unconditional disarmament” of the Iraqi leader. France, Germany and Russia have opposed an additional United Nations resolution to set an ultimatum for the Iraqi leader to disarm.

And efforts to win the votes of uncommitted nations at the 15-country UN Security Council faltered in recent days.

Bush, Blair, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and Portugal Prime Minister Jose Durao Barroso met at an American air base in the Azores, Portuguese territory in the Atlantic Ocean, as more than 250,000 troops gathered in the Persian Gulf area poised to strike.

Aznar said the agreement among the leaders marked "a last chance, one last attempt to reach the greatest possible consensus among ourselves."

Bush sounded like he didn’t expect reluctant countries to change their minds.

Asked whether tomorrow was the day that would determine whether diplomacy could work he replied, "That’s what I’m saying."

"We hope tomorrow the UN will do its job," Bush said.

Alternatively, he said, "Saddam Hussein can leave the country if he’s interested in peace."

France and Russia - both permanent Security Council members with veto power - along with Germany are leading a campaign seeking to stop Bush’s push for military action Iraq and urging for more time for UN weapons inspectors to do their job.

Bush was scornful of France’s role in the diplomatic tug of war that has unfolded in recent months.

Noting that he said 10 days ago he wanted the nations of the Security Council to show their cards, he said,

"France showed their cards. After I said what I said, they said they were going to veto anything that held Saddam to account".

French President Jacques Chirac said earlier he was willing to accept a 30-day deadline for Iraq to disarm, provided the move was endorsed by US weapons inspectors.

Speaking hours before the Azores summit got under way, Chirac said the inspectors will be telling the Security Council next week that they believe it is possible to disarm Saddam Hussein peacefully.

"One month, two months, I am ready to accept any accord on this point that has the approval of the inspectors," Chirac said in an interview aired on CNN, excerpts of which were released by the president’s office in Paris.

In Washington, US Vice President Dick Cheney brushed that suggestion aside in an appearance on NBC television, recounting a long list of French actions that he said had let Saddam avoid disarmament.

Blair noted that some nations oppose any ultimatum to Saddam.

The result, he said, is that the Iraqi leader is playing a game that "he has played over the last 12 years."

"Disarmament never happens but instead the international community is drawn into some perpetual negotiation," he said.

"Now we have reached the point of decision," he said.

Barroso, the Portuguese premier, called the Azores summit ”the last chance of a political solution.

It may be a small chance but if there is only one chance in a million it’s worth trying this opportunity."

In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "Is it time to bring the curtain down on this or is there some hope?"

Cheney appeared to answer the question, saying: "There’s no question but what we’re close to the end, if you will, of the diplomatic efforts."

"Clearly, the president’s going to have to make a very, very difficult and important decision here in the next few days," he added.