U.N. arms inspectors used helicopters for the first time Tuesday in their search for banned weapons in Iraq, while experts on the ground visited at least six sites, including a missile factory and a cancer research center.
The helicopters were said to be making an aerial survey, but U.N. officials have said the choppers also would make it easier to swoop down on potential weapons sites.
Meanwhile, British Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon said Britain would deploy thousands of troops to the Gulf region and has put 1,500 reservists on standby ahead of a possible war on Iraq.
Britain will also deploy a "significant" number of extra ships to the region including the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, destroyers Liverpool, Edinburgh and York, and the frigate Malborough if and when required.
Hoon said Tuesday the naval deployment represents a "significant amphibious capability" and they would embark on training exercises in the Mediterranean later this month.
The British minister added it was important to send a "clear and credible threat of force" to Saddam Hussein.
But he insisted this did not mean that the use of force was inevitable. "No decision has been taken to commit these forces to action," Hoon conveyed. "The threat of force remains and it must be a real one."
In a related development, France gave its clearest sign yet that it would join in a military operation if Baghdad fails to cooperate with the U.N. inspectors. According to AP, President Jacques Chirac told soldiers to be prepared for deployment, alluding to a possible war against Iraq.
"To be prepared is at the heart of the soldier's job," Chirac said during annual New Year's wishes to the armed forces. "Particularly, we have to be attentive to the way in which United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 is applied by Iraq."
On its part, Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it would have to see proof from the United Nations that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction before deciding whether to back a U.S.-led war against Saddam Hussein's regime.
"If the United Nations asks Saudi Arabia to join, depending on the material breach that they show and depending on the proof that they show, Saudi Arabia will decide," Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told reporters.
"We are interested in peace and searching for a peaceful (solution) to this crisis and even if the United Nations decides on war, we want them to give us a last chance to exert efforts for peace," he said.
Asked if the United States had requested military facilities, Prince Saud said: "Concerning Iraq, it has not asked." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
