Apart from US and Britain several countries including Germany have urged their nationals to pull out of Baghdad as the clouds of war hovered over the region. UN has already evacuated its staff including its weapon inspectors.

The troops buildup in the Gulf comes despite strong opposition from Russia and China. The United States moved in B-52 bombers and Sleath fighters which will fly to US bases in Louisiana, North Dakota and New Mexico to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.

Egypt, Syria and six Gulf countries were, meanwhile, making last ditch efforts to avert a possible strike against Iraq urging Baghdad to abide to UN resolutions.

In a blunt statement, these countries said "Baghdad will besolely responsible for any military action if it failed to heed UN demands over arms inspection.

Meanwhile, Russia and China, permanent members of Security Council, expressed anguish over pulling of US arms inspectors from Iraq without consulting the council members.

The US has already assembled a formidable naval armada in the Gulf comprising Nimitz class nuclear powered carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower supported by USS Essex, a Wasp class amphibious assault ship along with 23 other ship along with 23 other naval ships equipped with up to 350 Tomahawks cruise missiles.

Last week, the Pentagon despatched USS Anzio a guided missile cruiser from Mediterranean to join the Gulf build up.

The Americans also despatched another carrier battle group headed by USS Enterprise to the region.