March 12, 2002	Tuesday	Zilhaj 27, 1422

LONDON, March 11: The British prime minister, Tony Blair, who is under intense pressure from his own party not to take part in any hasty military action against Iraq, met here on Monday the American Vice President Dick Cheney to discuss the future course of action against Saddam Husain.

Mr Blair announced that Saddam had “acquired weapons of mass destruction over a long time” but said that no decision has yet been taken about any actions against him. In a joint press conference at the 10 Downing Street with Tony Blair, the US vice-president Dick Cheney was vague about any possible military operation against Iraq.

Home Secretary David Blunkett on Monday became the latest Cabinet minister to voice concern over British backing for a new war in Iraq.

Mr Blunkett a senior Labour leader and holding an important portfolio stressed that the government must consider the threat to “social cohesion” before Britain could back any US-led move to topple Saddam.

He said the Cabinet had held an “intelligent” discussion about action, and there were real issues about “the impact that would have globally, the impact in terms of social cohesion and what is taking place in the Middle East”.

Mr Blair is now in quite a difficult situation is trying his best to strike a balance between Britain’s historic relationship with the USA and his own Labour Party hawks.