Iraq's leadership today rejected the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein and his family to leave Iraq or face war, Iraq's al-Shabab television reported.
It said the decision was made in a joint meeting chaired by the Iraqi leader of the Revolution Command Council - Iraq's highest executive body - and the leadership of the ruling Baath party.
A statement read by the announcer said the meeting condemned the ultimatum issued by US President George Bush.
"Iraq does not choose its path through foreigners and does not choose its leaders by decree from Washington, London or Tel Aviv," it said.
Later, the announcer said that mass demonstrations would be organised throughout Iraq today to express support for the Iraqi leader.
"The march of struggle will continue against the American, English and Zionist aggressors," said the statement from the joint meeting.
"The proposal...comes from a person who is not completely capable or fit," Saddam's eldest son Uday said in remarks issued by his office. "The proposal should be that Bush leaves office in America, he and his family."
"The wives and mothers of those Americans who will fight us will weep blood, not tears," he said. "They should not imagine that they will have a safe spot inside the land of Iraq or outside it."
Uday, (39), is chairman of the Iraqi Journalists' Union, owns Iraq's most influential newspaper Babeland runs the popular Shebab television channel.
He appeared well-placed to inherit his father's political mantle before an assassination attempt in 1996 that left him badly wounded and placed a question mark over his authority in Iraq's ruling inner circle.
Nonetheless, he remains near the centre of a web of family and clan networks that Saddam has used to control Iraq.