Turkey votes to allow use of airspace

The move could help the US shorten its war against Iraq.

The Turkish parliament also cleared the way for thousands of Turkish troops to be deployed across the border in northern Iraq.

However, it is understood the United States and Iraqi Kurdish groups in northern Iraq have deep reservations about such a deployment.

The parliament has already turned down a US request to allow its troops to use Turkish bases for an invasion of northern Iraq.

EU leaders summit

EU leaders meeting in Brussels have tried to heal the rift within the Union and with the United states over the Iraq crisis.

In an agreed statment, they say the transatlantic partnership is a fundamental strategic priority for Europe.

They have also approved an immediate humanitarian aid programme for the Iraqi people.

Greece calls for EU agreement

Meanwhile, EU presidency holder Greece has called for agreement in Europe on a common position on a post-war Iraq.

Europe is divided over the war on Iraq in the absence of UN authorisation for the use of military force against Iraq.

The Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis also said he 'deeply regretted' the launch of war early today.

It is understood the EU risks fresh divisions over how to handle the reconstruction of Iraq, with some countries questioning whether or not Europe should foot the bill for a US-inspired war.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on all sides in the conflict to do whatever is necessary to protect civilians during military action.

Putin calls for an end to US hostilities

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has called for an immediate end to US hostilities, describing them as unjustified and a serious political error.

Mr Putin's comments came at the start of an urgent Russian security council meeting that is to discuss the crisis. He said that Washington was never able to prove that Baghdad actually posed a threat to international security.

The Russian Duma is expected to call for an urgent meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Allies 'had no alternative to war': Straw

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told a press briefing in London that the allies had been left with no option but to use force against Iraq following Saddam Hussein's refusal to disarm.

Mr Straw argued that there was widespread international support for this military action.

Earlier this morning the British Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, said the overnight attacks were preliminary operations and based on security intelligence intended to target the Iraqi leadership.

Mr Hoon said it would not be long before a wider attack was under way. However he warned that the US-led war might not be over quickly.

Chirac says France 'regrets' outbreak of war

Responding to the attacks, the French President Jacques Chirac said France 'regretted' the outbreak of war in Iraq. Mr Chirac said he saw serious consequences for the future no matter how long the hostilities lasted.

He said in a statement that France, which staunchly opposed US and British efforts to have the United Nations authorise the attacks, remained convinced that only the world body had the right to take collective action for peace.

He added that Europe must present its own view of the world's problems and form a common defence policy.

Widespread criticism of US action

There has been widespread condemnation of the opening of military action by the US on Iraq.

The EU Presidency was 'very sad and disappointed' by the attack, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou told the European Parliament.

China demanded that the US stop using force against Iraq, saying it violated the UN charter and international laws.

Indonesia has called for an emergency Security Council meeting.

The UN Security Council has turned its attention to fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, with officials working on plans to cope with a flight of as many as 600,000 Iraqi refugees.

It is reported the United Nations food aid agency will launch a series of operations in Iraq that could become the largest humanitarian effort in history.

An official at the World Food Programme, which is based in Rome, said the cost of the operation could be over $1 billion.

The German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, said the task was now to do everything possible to avert a humanitarian disaster.

EU urged to release €100m in aid for Iraq

The European Commission has called on the EU to release €100 million in immediate humanitarian aid for Iraq.

Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Poul Nielson made the call to member states and the European Parliament.

The European Commission already has €21 million ready in emergency funds to focus on water, health and sanitation in Iraq.

Commissioner Nielson said that Brussels would be trying to head off starvation, with Iraq's 'oil-for-food' UN-run programme now suspended.