February 26, 2003

Opposition Calls for War
Ahmed Shames, Sama Hadad & Abtehale Al-Hussaini

Iraqis call for war

Exiled Iraqis have handed a petition to Tony Blair calling for military action against Saddam Hussein.

The Iraqi Prospect Organisation has collected more than 700 signatures backing war against Baghdad.

IPO chairman Ahmed Shames says some of those who signed are still living in Iraq.

The petition also urges the Government to commit to establishing a genuine democracy in Iraq after Saddam.

It calls on the United Nations Security Council to use "any means necessary" to rid the country of Saddam.

The IPO says many people in Iraq believe he can only be removed by force.

If Saddam is deposed, forming a new administration would become the main priority, as in Afghanistan after the ruling Taliban was defeated.

Exiled Iraqi opposition leaders have already worked out plans for the transition to a democracy, should the situation arise.