US President George W. Bush today signed a congressional resolution giving him authority to wage war against Iraq if needed and said Baghdad would be unwise to test US resolve.
"I have not ordered the use of force. I hope the use of force will not become necessary. Yet confronting the threat posed by Iraq is necessary by whatever means that requires," Mr Bush said in White House East Room remarks before signing the resolution.
The joint resolution was approved by the US congress last week after a debate over whether Iraq and its suspected weapons of mass destruction pose an imminent threat.
As Iraq continues to try to negotiate the terms of the return of UN weapons inspectors, Mr Bush laid down some tough demands.
"Compliance will begin with an accurate and full and complete accounting for all chemical, biological and nuclear weapons materials, as well as missiles and other means of delivery anywhere in Iraq. Failure to make such an accounting would be further indication of the regime's bad faith and aggressive intent," he said.
"Inspectors must have access to any site in Iraq at any time without pre-clearance, without delay, without exceptions. Inspectors must be permitted to operate under new, effective rules. And the Iraqi regime must accept those rules without qualification or negotiation," he added.