Bush: War may be 'unavoidable'

Mr Bush used his weekly radio address to tell Americans that the danger to them was "grave and growing", and that he could be left with no choice but to strike.

But European and Arab leaders are challenging the US desire for a "regime change" that would see Saddam Hussein toppled and are warning of dire consequences of any conflict in Iraq.

For its part, Iraq is trying to shore up support - or at least opposition to a US-led attack - among its neighbours in the Middle East.

The latest apparent splits between the US and the countries it has been asking to back any action against Iraq comes as President Bush prepares a crucial address to court both domestic and international opinion.

New fears

Mr Bush declared that his administration was not "seeking war" in his radio address.

"If, however, the Iraqi regime persists in its defiance, the use of force may become unavoidable.

"Delay, indecision, and inaction are not options for America, because they could lead to massive and sudden horror."

Mr Bush has been criticised by a number of elected politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, for threatening to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iraq.

Correspondents say that his speech on Monday - as well as his radio address and another speech in New Hampshire on Saturday - will try to persuade doubters that the threat is imminent.

International differences

Mr Bush also pledged US support to any rebuilding necessary after a future conflict in Iraq.

But the US policy of seeking to oust President Saddam Hussein was highlighted by the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana as a point of major difference.

While Britain has backed the US, other EU countries such as France and Germany have expressed serious reservations over military intervention and pushed for the United Nations to resume inspections to check claims that Iraq is hoarding weapons of mass destruction.

"Our objective is not regime change," said Mr Solana, in Crete for defence talks.

"The inspectors have to go and to do their job. For that we have chosen together with many countries, including the United States the route of the United Nations."

The UN weapons inspectors - who last week agreed a possible resumption of their mission with the Iraqis - now seem set to wait until a new resolution covering their role is passed by the UN before heading to Baghdad.

But there remain divisions, with the US wanting a single resolution threatening force if Iraq does not comply with demands, while France and other countries support a staggered approach.

Regime change was also opposed by Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt which has been an important ally in the US-led war on terror.

"No country has the right to intervene to overthrow the government in a sovereign country," the state-owned Middle East News Agency quoted Mr Mubarak as saying.

"An invasion and occupation of Iraq could lead to a violent civil war," he said.

"It could lead to the partition of Iraq... and to a state of chaos and instability on a regional scale."

Iraqi diplomacy

Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister of Turkey which would be a key US ally in any war in Iraq, said Turkey had not yet been asked if its bases could be used in a conflict.

He said action against Iraq would harm Turkey.

"We are saying that we are against any kind of military operations in our region and that this issue should be handled very carefully," he said.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri has been visiting other potential US allies to try to harden opposition to any action against his country.