Rageh Omaar reports on how Iraqi citizens are preparing for military strikes

As opposition grows in the Middle East to a US-led military strike on Iraq, the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has said the search for a diplomatic solution to the weapons inspections crisis is at a critical stage.

The Americans are making similar noises, warning that the "window of opportunity" for a peaceful settlement is closing.

Talk of time running out for diplomacy comes as the Arab League is pushing new proposals aimed at breaking the the deadlock.

Annan cancels visit

Kofi Annan: no plans to intervene as yet

Mr Annan cancelled a planned 10-day visit to the Middle East because he said his presence was required at UN headquarters in New York at such an important time.

The Secretary-General said he has no plans to fly to Baghdad immediately, although he did not rule it out.

He has also cancelled a scheduled trip to Italy because of the crisis.

Window of opportunity

William Cohen: time is running out

The US Defense Secretary, William Cohen, has repeated that he wants a diplomatic solution to the crisis. But he said that chances for a negotiated end to the Iraq crisis were diminishing.

Speaking during a tour of the Gulf, he said Iraq was forcing western powers to seek the elimination of Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction by military strikes.

"The window of opportunity (for a diplomatic solution) is not getting wider, it is getting narrower."

If Iraq failed to meet UN demands "then it may be necessary to do through military means what can't be achieved on the ground - that is the curtailing and reduction of (Iraq's) capability and capacity to develop or to deliver weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Jordan opposes force

King Hussein: does not want "ordinary people" affected

King Hussein of Jordan has said that he could not support an attack on Iraq which would affect "ordinary people".

"The people have suffered enough," he said after a meeting in London with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

But he also said "there has to be complete compliance" from Iraq with the United Nations arms inspection regime.

Turkey fears cost of war

King Hussein of Jordan: everything must be done to avoid conflict (32")

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, has said his country is opposed to a military attack on Iraq because it would have a catastrophic effect on the Turkish economy.

He said the after-effects of the Gulf War had already cost Turkey $35bn.

The US military base at Incirlik in eastern Turkey played an important part in the last war. It continues to be used by American planes enforcing the air exclusion zone in northern Iraq.

In the past few days the leaders of Morocco Egypt and Saudi Arabia have all said that they are against military strikes on Iraq. The Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali also urged a diplomatic solution.

Russia is also opposed to military action and has played a key role in the latest compromise proposals that have been put forward by Dr Esmat Abdel-Meguid, the Secretary-General of the Arab League.

West Bank support

Thousands of Palestinians on the West Bank have urged Saddam to target Israel with his Scud missiles. US flags were also burned at the rally held in support of Iraq.

Iraq has said it is confident of victory if fighting breaks out and has sent its foreign minister to Syria and Egypt on a tour to rally Arab support.
 

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