US President George W Bush said yesterday Iraqi President Mr Saddam Hussein is a problem that would be dealt with but stopped short of saying the United States would take action against Iraq.
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But Mr Bush did not rule out unilateral action against Iraq, saying "all options are on the table." US Vice President Mr Dick Cheney is touring the Middle East seeking support against Baghdad.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, who had lunch with MR Bush earlier in the day, said the US president made clear he is not planning immediate military action against Iraq.
"I think he also made it clear that he doesn't have any immediate plan to start any action overnight," Mr Ahern said. "I think that's not where he's at this stage".
President Bush has included Iraq on his "axis of evil" nations - along with Iran and North Korea - as countries that must be stopped from developing weapons of mass destruction.
"I am deeply concerned about Iraq," President Bush told a White House news conference. "This is a nation run by a man who is willing to kill his own people by using chemical weapons, a man who won't let inspectors into the country, a man who's obviously got something to hide.
"He is a problem and we're going to deal with him," President Bush said. "But the first stage is to consult with our allies and friends and that is exactly what we're doing.