BAGHDAD, Oct 14: The Iraqi government urged voters on Monday to turn out in their millions in a referendum designed to show massive domestic support for president Saddam Hussein as he faces the threat of U.S. military attack to end his rule.

Tuesday’s referendum on another seven-year term of office for the Iraqi president comes after US President George Bush won a mandate from Congress last week to use force if necessary to rid Iraq of suspected weapons of mass destruction and possibly oust Saddam.

With the threat of war in the air, Britain and the United States sent experts to ex-Soviet Ukraine to investigate charges that it had sold a hi-tech aircraft detection system to Iraq that could hamper any US-led military action.

Aircraft safety was also on the minds of UN weapons inspectors preparing to return to Iraq after a four-year break. They insisted on Monday on safety guarantees in “no-fly zones” enforced by British and US warplanes.—Reuters