AL QUDS: Feb 10: The US administration has given Israel the nod to strike back at Iraq if the regime of President Saddam Hussein attacks it during a possible US operation against Iraq, the Israeli daily Haaretz said on Sunday.

The daily said that after visits by Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defence Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, senior US officials told Sharon they understand that Israel “will not sit quietly” if attacked.

An unnamed senior US official was also quoted as saying that Israel would be told in advance if strikes against Iraq are to go ahead.

The daily said Sharon had been given the assurances during talks with US President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Washington did not give details of the next phase in its war on international terrorism, although Israeli media have said it will focus on Iraq, which one Israel daily said last week could be attacked in May.

In addition, a joint US-Israeli defence group will be reactivited in March, the daily said.

The Defence Policy Advisory Group (DPAG), which has not visited Israel since October 2000, shortly after the start of the Palestinian uprising, will resume meetings when a Pentagon delegation headed by Defence Undersecretary Doug Feith arrives next month.

Haaretz said last week that Israeli and US troops had practised anti-missile defence in anticipation of a possible Iraqi strike.—AFP