March 17, 2003	Monday	Muharram 13, 1424

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BRUSSELS, March 16: Nato member Belgium threatened on Sunday to cut off its airspace and the port of Antwerp to the US military if the United States invades Iraq in violation of international law.

The United States has been using Antwerp and the Dutch port of Rotterdam to ship equipment from Germany to the Middle East for possible use in a war against Iraq.

Washington, which accuses Baghdad of developing weapons of mass destruction, has threatened to invade Iraq with or without a fresh United Nations resolution authorising the use of force.

Belgium says military action without a second resolution would be unlawful.

“We would halt the transit if the US were to engage in a move which is outside the rules of international law,” Defence Minister Andre Flahaut said on Belgium’s RTL television.

“I can tell you that I have already alerted the United States (of this).”

In an earlier interview with RTBF television he said Belgium would also cut off its airspace, adding “the overflight is part of the same context”.

Belgian politicians have reflected the view of the public in opposing an Iraqi war.

Deputy Prime Minister Johan Vande Lanotte was among politicians in a huge anti-war march at the weekend.

Last month, Belgium joined Germany and France in initially opposing Nato aid to Turkey to boost its defences ahead of any war on neighbouring Iraq.

But the point concerning US overflights and port use is a narrower one. Belgian officials oppose the use of Belgian facilities if it would make Belgium an accomplice to what they consider a violation of international law.

Nato member Hungary said separately on Sunday that the United States and Britain had asked permission to use its air space and certain airports.

Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs said an informal government meeting would decide on the request later on Sunday.—Reuters