As the row over United Nations weapons inspections in Iraq deepens, President Saddam Hussein has called on Iraqis to volunteer to train for a possible military confrontation with the United States.

He said the ruling Ba'ath party would coordinate the efforts of men and women of all ages who were capable of bearing arms.

"We should show an essential part of the people's determination under the leadership of the great Baath (party) to fight in order that Iraq exists and remains as it should be," state television quoted President Saddam as saying.

Iraqi television said he called for "mobilisation for training an essential unit" and emphasised the principle of free volunteering for "this jihad" which means holy struggle.

US forces on the ready in the Gulf (US Navy photo)

It said Saddam was addressing the Baath party leadership on Friday night, the seventh anniversary of the start of 1991 Gulf War.

Earlier in a televised address the Iraqi leader had warned that Baghdad would stop all co-operation with UN weapons inspectors unless seven-year-old sanctions imposed on Iraq were lifted soon.

But America declared that the Iraqi president was "dreaming" if he thought that the UN would comply with his demand.

The US said sanctions will remain in place until UN inspectors are allowed to return to work.

The stand-off developed after Baghdad refused to allow some inspections to take place last week because it said there were too many American and British representatives on the UN teams.

Stand-off

UN inspectors have left Bagdhad

Washington has said it is losing patience with Saddam Hussein and will not rule out the use of force to resolve the dispute. Britain has sent an aircraft carrier to the Gulf to join American ships that are already there.

The UN's chief arms inspector, Richard Butler, has arrived in the Gulf on his way to Baghdad for talks on Monday to try to resolve the latest difficulties.

Mr Butler heads the United Nations Special Commission (Unscom) which is in charge of dismantling Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
 

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