U.S. President George W. Bush has warned that Iraq will face "the severest consequences" if it failed to adhere to the terms of a U.N. Security Council resolution requiring Baghdad to disarm.
Bush welcomed the unanimous approval of the resolution by the Security Council. He said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein must disarm without delay or attempt to negotiate the terms for allowing U.N. inspectors back into the country.
"His cooperation must be prompt and unconditional or he will face the severest consequences," said Bush on Friday, clearly threatening military action.
He said if Iraq does not adhere to the demands, the United States and its allies will disarm Iraq.
"If we are to avert war, all nations must continue to pressure Saddam Hussein to accept this resolution and to comply with his obligations," Bush said.
The U.S. president said the U.N. resolution presents Iraq with a "final test" to disarm.