Government-controlled newspapers in Baghdad have condemned the meeting in London between a British government minister and Iraqi groups opposed to President Saddam Hussein.

The Al-Qadissiyah newspaper said that the meeting was a flagrant violation of international law, and a threat to the national security of Iraq.

Other newspapers described the talks as a dangerous precedent for all Arab governments.

After the meeting, the British government said the Iraqi groups had pledged to cooperate more closely in an attempt to topple President Saddam Hussein.