PARIS, May 7: John Bolton, US undersecretary of state for Arms Control and International Security, said that in the eyes of the Bush Administration, three other countries — Libya, Syria and Cuba — pose as much of a threat to the “free world” as the previously listed “evil” countries - Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

All three, reports Mr Bolton, threaten world security because they are in the process of developing what he characterised as “doomsday weapons”.

France’s new foreign minister will have his work cut out when he arrives at the Quai d’Orsay on Wednesday, for waiting on his desk is a confidential memorandum left by his predecessor which reports that in a little-known speech made on May 6, US President George W. Bush has decided to add three new members to his “Axis of Evil” list.