Presidential Address

The American president has ordered Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or face military action.

In a televised address delivered on Tuesday at 1.00am UK time, George W Bush said that the "final days of decision" had come.He gave the Iraqi dictator and his immediate family just 48 hours to flea their country before war starts "at a time of our choosing".

President Bush warned Iraqi generals against using weapons of mass destruction or setting fire to oil fields in the event of war.

"War crimes will be prosecuted. War criminals will be punished and it will be no defence to say I was just following orders," he warned them.

Bush repeated disputed claims that the Iraqi regime had links to al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Setting out a case based on his controversial doctrine of pre-emption, he added that America was choosing to meet the Iraqi threat before its potential became more fearsome.

Iraq has "some of the most lethal weapons ever devised", which it had already proved its determination to use.

And he echoed the British attorney general's legal opinion by insisting that previous United Nations resolutions on Iraq, dating from the first Gulf war, were still valid and authorised the use of military force.

There was also a warning to the American public that the launch of a military campaign could bring terrorist reprisals.

He said that as war loomed the government was on "heightened watch" against terrorist attack.Airport security had been stepped up, as had patrols at major sea ports.

He warned terrorists that they could undertake no act that would deflect America from its chosen cause of action. And if any moved to strike at the US they would face "fearful consequences".Attempts to disarm Iraq without war had failed, he told the American nation and the world.

Twelve years and a dozen resolutions since the end of the last Gulf war had passed without success.

"Our good faith has not been returned. The Iraqi regime has used diplomacy as a ploy to gain time and advantage."

While France was not mentioned by name in the address, there was a clear rebuke for Jacques Chirac's promise to veto any resolution authorising military action.

"The United Nations security council has not lived up to its responsibilities so we will rise up to ours," Bush said.

He pledged to free Iraqis from oppression and help the people build "a new Iraq that is prosperous and free" with "no more torture chambers".

"The day of your liberation is near," the president added in an address that was broadcast across the Middle East.

He also urged the Iraqi military to cooperate with Western forces

"Free nations have a duty to defend our people by uniting against the violent. Tonight, as we have done before, America and our allies accept that responsibility."