Iraq is expected to accept a UN resolution to disarm, Egypt's foreign minister says. But if Baghdad fails to follow through, President George W Bush has approved a war plan to initially capture parts of the country for footholds to thrust in 200,000 or more troops.
Iraq's foreign minister says no decision has been taken, but several other Arab diplomats at a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo said that in effect Iraq had already accepted the resolution.
"I think we can expect a positive position by the Iraqis," said the Egyptian minister, Ahmed Maher.
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein today called an emergency session of parliament to consider the resolution.Saddam's order was reported by al-Shabab TV, owned by his son Odai, but the report did not say when parliament would convene.
The New York Timesreports on its Web site that President Bush has approved a Pentagon plan for invading Iraq, should the new UN arms inspection effort fail.
Defence officials say the plan calls for a land, sea and air force of 200,000 to 250,000 troops, at least twice the number initially considered.
US officials, who asked not to be identified, stressed last night thaht the plan was flexible but that Bush had in recent weeks accepted Army General Tommy Franks' advice that smaller numbers of troops could not capture and hold Iraq if invasion became necessary.
They confirmed the New York Timesreport in its Sunday edition that any attack ordered by Bush and led by Franks, head of the US Central Command, would begin with "a rolling start" of smaller numbers of troops while B-1 and B-2 bombers led an air campaign against Saddam's palaces, air defences and bases.