Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Diplomatic offensive continues
Chief UN weapons inspector, Blix holds talks with Powell
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's government is continuing with a diplomatic offensive among its neighbouring countries in the hope of hardening opposition to any attack on it.
In Bahrain, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Naji Sabri, warned that an American-led attack would pose a serious threat to the entire region.
Earlier, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, Hans Blix, said he would welcome a tough new Security Council resolution to support his mission in Iraq.
He said there had been what he called an erosion of the inspection regime, and pressure needed to be put on Iraq to comply with UN demands.
Dr Blix was speaking after a meeting in Washington with the American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, whose government is calling for a new resolution.
A former weapons inspector in Iraq, Terence Taylor, agreed that stronger measures were needed.
