WASHINGTON, Oct 2: Bolstered by a deal with House leaders authorizing him to use force against Baghdad, US President George Bush said on Wednesday that attacking Iraq “may become unavoidable” if President Saddam Hussein does not disarm.

“Saddam must disarm, period. If, however, he chooses to do otherwise, if he persists in his defiance, the use of force may become unavoidable,” Bush said at the White House.

“Full compliance with all UN security demands is the only choice and the time remaining for that choice is limited,” Bush warned hours after leaders of the House of Representatives announced the accord.

“None of us here today desire to see military conflict because we know the awful nature of war,” said Bush, who warned that “on its present course, the Iraqi regime is a threat of unique urgency”.

Bush has told the UN that if it fails to approve a tough new weapons inspection regime to strip the Iraqi president of suspected nuclear, chemical or biological arms, Washington will act alone or with its allies. The Senate, yet to reach a separate accord with the White House, was expected to vote on an Iraq resolution as early as next week.—AFP