Saddam Hussein has rejected an American demand for him to quit Iraq.

The Iraqi leader was shown on television chairing a Cabinet meeting in military uniform.

"The meeting stressed that Iraq and all its sons were fully ready to confront the invading aggressors and repel them," a Cabinet statement declared.

At a news conference, Naji Sabri, Iraq's foreign minister, described Mr Bush and Tony Blair, the UK prime minister and Washington's chief ally, as "war criminals and despots".

Iraqis living in Britain give their thoughts to the Independent, one arguing the war is not the way to get rid of Saddam Hussein and the other arguing that the country's people fear the dictator more than bombs.

Another tells the paper that he fears "the glue will come unstuck" and the country will fall apart with the fall of Saddam.

Around Baghdad checkpoints manned by the Republican Guard have increased and the roads to Kurdistan have been closed for three days.

An email has been circulating among Iraqis giving details on medical treatment in the event of a chemical or biological attack.