RIYADH, July 30: The idea of overthrowing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein through military strikes was “unacceptable”, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, who is touring the region to coordinate response to the US threats of attacking Iraq, said while talking tod newsmen here on Monday night.

After visiting Saudi Arabia the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister left for Turkey.

Top US General Tommy Franks also visited Istanbul a couple of weeks ago to solicit Turkey’s support for an invasion of Iraq. But Turkey was not forthcoming.

Mr Sultanov had been to Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Kuwait before coming to Saudi Arabia.

During talks in Riyadh, both the countries stressed the need for a “political and peaceful” settlement of the Iraq standoff and warned that any strike against Baghdad would have grave consequences.

“During the tour we found the idea of changing governments or leaders of any country unacceptable because it is in contradiction with international law,” Sultanov was quoted here as saying.