DUBAI, February 13: President Bill Clinton has sought fresh support from allies for a tough stand against Baghdad as US military made final preparations for a strike to force Iraq to open its suspected weapons sites to UN inspectors.UN Secretary general Kofi Annan geared up for a second round of talks with "big five" of UN security council to find an amicable solution to the Iraq crisis.
At the behest of Russia, France and other council members, Annan began consultations with the ambassadors of the permanent members of the UN security council yesterday with a 90-minute discussion. However, details of the discussions were kept closely guarded.
Meanwhile, warplanes left US bases for the Gulf as the US military geared up for a possible military strike against Iraq.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
