Iraq papers blame Kuwait and Saudis

The Iraqi press today said Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were partly to blame for US-British air strikes on Baghdad.

The Iraqi press today said Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were partly to blame for US-British air strikes on Baghdad.

One newspaper said there would be retaliation against the two Gulf Arab states.

Baghdad has accused Saudi Arabia and Kuwait of taking part in Friday's air strikes because US and British warplanes use bases in the two countries to patrol a no-fly zone in southern Iraq.

"We are not hiding. We are determined to retaliate against the rulers of tyranny, distress and treachery in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia," the government newspaper al-Jumhouriyasaid.

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The Iraqi news agency INA said President Saddam Hussein met top aides yesterday to discuss improvements to anti-aircraft defences.

Iraq also said US and British planes patrolled the south of the country yesterday and on Saturday.

US and British fighters bombed radar and military command centres near Baghdad late on Friday, killing three people and injuring 30 others, official Iraqi television said.

Indonesia today expressed regret at the air strikes and called on all parties to refrain from violence.

The statement said such attacks should not be repeated and asked Iraq to obey all stipulations "in relevant United Nations resolutions and all agreements it has struck with the world body."

It said such action is against the principles of international law.

AFP/PA