War likely as 'moment of truth' nears

War on Iraq without a second UN resolution looks ever more likely today as time slipped away to secure the peaceful disarmament of Saddam Hussein.

:: US President George W Bush described today as a “moment of truth for the world” and the last chance for diplomatic efforts to disarm the Iraqi dictator.

:: He made clear that members of the UN Security Council had only a matter of hours to support a fresh resolution authorising military action or he and British Prime Minister Tony Blair would order troops to invade Iraq.

:: The same deadline was levelled at Saddam to show serious commitment to disarmament or face the full might of the allied military force.

:: Today France and Russia continued their hardline stance against authorisation of the use of force.

:: French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin said: “France cannot accept the resolution that sets an ultimatum and envisages an automatic use of force.”

:: And Russian deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov said: “As before, this draft (resolution) has no chance for passage by the Security Council.”

:: The Security Council has scheduled closed talks on Iraq for 3pm Irish time today to discuss the Anglo-American-Spanish resolution setting an ultimatum for Iraq to disarm within days or face war.

:: The current resolution would set the deadline for today, but US officials said that could be extended briefly.

:: Washington could call for a vote, but the resolution does not have the support of a majority of the 15 council members and faces a threatened veto by France, and possibly Russia.

:: Saddam, meanwhile, has warned that if President Bush orders an attack on his country, the fighting would spread around the world, “wherever there is sky, land or water”.

:: The United States, appearing to gear up for war, today advised UN weapons inspectors to pack their bags and leave Iraq.

:: Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the UN nuclear watchdog, said the US had warned last night that it was time for his inspectors and those working for Hans Blix - who are seeking chemical and biological weapons – to quit the country.

:: But both teams appeared to be staying put and waiting for Security Council guidance later today.

:: The chief inspectors are due to update the Security Council tonight on any progress they have made.

:: A mass exodus of diplomats and aid agencies in Iraq is also under way.

:: In London, Mr Blair is to hold an emergency cabinet meeting this afternoon and speak to President Bush at lunchtime. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is expected to make a statement on the crisis to MPs in the Commons at 7pm.

:: Political problems for Mr Blair deepened with news that Leader of the Commons Robin Cook is set to resign from the cabinet in protest at impending military action without a second resolution.

International Development Secretary Clare Short has already threatened to pursue the same course.

:: If the matter is debated in the Commons, rebel MPs are expected to table an amendment stating there is no moral justification for war without a second resolution.

:: MPs have predicted that “considerable” numbers of Labour backbenchers who did not vote against the Government three weeks ago would do so this time around, dwarfing the previous rebellion of 121.