Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is planning to hold a referendum to endorse his presidency in mid-October, the country's newspapers reported today.
Politicians and analysts in Baghdad see the referendum as a routine procedure to endorse Saddam for a new seven-year term.
"The great referendum day on the post of the president of the republic will be held mid-October," the official al-Qadissiyanewspaper said.
Saddam, who has been in power since 1979, won 99.96 per cent of more than eight million valid votes cast on a turnout of 99.47 per cent in an October 1995 referendum.
The plan for the vote coincides with increased rumblings from the United States about the need for a "change of regime" in Iraq, which holds the second largest oil reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia.
President Mr George W. Bush said earlier this month Washington would use all tools at its disposal to topple Saddam Hussein and has branded Iraq part of an "axis of evil" along with Iran and North Korea.