MoD Information

48 Hrs to Get Out of Iraq

Tue, March 18, 2003

Source: Ananova News

George W Bush has given Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq or face military action.

George W Bush has given Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq or face military action. Mr Bush used a 15 minute TV address from the White House to tell Saddam that unless he complied, the US would launch war "at a time of our choosing".

The US President said there was "no doubt" Saddam held weapons of mass destruction and it was necessary to disarm him now before he became able to use them in tandem with terror groups to kill thousands of Americans.

"Instead of drifting along towards tragedy, we will set a course towards safety," said Mr Bush.

"Before the day of horror can come, this danger will be removed."

Resolutions passed at the time of the 1991 Gulf War gave authority to disarm Saddam by force, claimed Mr Bush, adding: "The UN Security Council has not lived up to its responsibilities, so we will rise to ours."

He sent out a personal message to Iraqi troops not to obey orders to use chemical or biological weapons or set fire to oil wells, and urged them not to oppose Allied troops entering their country.

And he promised ordinary Iraqis that the US would help them rebuild their shattered nation after any conflict, telling them: "The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near."

Mr Bush was speaking hours before a Commons debate in which Tony Blair is due to ask MPs to authorise the use of "all means necessary" to disarm Iraq.

Mr Blair is facing the largest backbench rebellion of his premiership, with up to 120 MPs queuing to sign an anti-war motion tabled late last night.