The American President is going to insist that Saddam steps down or faces a military attack, the White House said.

Mr Bush may give the Iraqi leader as little as 48 hours to leave the country, when he makes his key speech to the world on Monday night.

This comes as Britain's former Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, has resigned from the government in protest about the possible war. He was the Leader of the House of Commons.

Earlier, America, Britain and Spain withdrew their request for a second resolution on Iraq.

Inspectors warned to leave

The United Nations' Security Council was going to vote on whether to go to war with Iraq on Monday, but the three countries have pulled the plans.