BRITAIN and America were left with "no option'' but to use force to disarm Saddam Hussein, Jack Straw said today.
The Foreign Secretary said that in the last four months since the United Nation's ordered Iraq to disarm, the world had seen the "familiar story of concealment, deceit and delay''.
The Blackburn MP, earlier woken by a phone call from Colin Powell, outlined the reports of the UN weapons inspectors to the Security Council which showed that only "limited progress" had been made in tackling unresolved issues over Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.
In view of Saddam's continued defiance Mr Straw said: "We were left with no option but to use force.
"Saddam Hussein has failed to meet his disarmament obligations and the result is that we are absolutely clear that Saddam Hussein took a strategic decision to defy the international community.''
Mr Straw said there had been "endless and detailed'' discussions with Britain American allies about the use of British forces in the conflict.
He said the Cabinet mood was "very sombre and serious''.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article