August 8, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28,1423

WASHINGTON, Aug 7: The top-ranked US military leaders have thrown their unanimous support behind any use of military force to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the Washington Times said on Wednesday, citing US officials.

But the White House insisted that US President George W. Bush had not yet determined how to obtain a regime change in Iraq.

“The president has made his views very clear when it comes to Iraq,” spokesman Scott McClellan earlier told reporters as the president prepared for a fundraising event in Mississippi for a Republican congressman.

“He recently said that he had reached no decision, and was keeping all options open... on how to achieve our policy, which is regime change. That’s where things stand.”

“I promise you that I will be patient and deliberate, that we will continue to consult with Congress and of course we will consult with our friends and allies, Bush himself said in Jackson, Mississippi.

“I will explore all options and all tools at my disposal, diplomacy international pressure, perhaps the military,” he said in response to growing unease around the world over possible US military action against Iraq.

US resolve to oust Hussein because of his alleged development of weapons of mass destruction and support for international terrorism has hardened lately despite overwhelming opposition from allies, both in the Middle East and elsewhere.—AFP