WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD, Jan 3: More American troops prepared on Friday to join the tens of thousands already massed in the Gulf and President George Bush told cheering soldiers a war against Iraq would be one of liberation, not conquest.

Bush addressed thousands of cheering soldiers at the biggest army base in the United States, Fort Hood in his home state of Texas.

“Should Saddam seal his fate by refusing to disarm, by ignoring the opinion of the world, you’ll be fighting not to conquer anybody but to liberate people,” he told them.

The US president said Washington was ready to confront Baghdad, but warned US troops heading for the Gulf that “crucial hours” and “dangers” lay ahead.

As the United States stepped up its military force in the Gulf, Bush also threw a new challenge to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to scrap his weapons of mass destruction and cooperate with the United Nations if he wants to avoid a conflict.

“If force becomes necessary to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and enforce the will of the United Nations, ... America will act deliberately, America will act decisively and America will prevail because we’ve got the finest military in the world,” he told troops.

Bush, wearing a military green flight jacket and cap to make the speech, reaffirmed that “military force is this nation’s last option”.

He added “we are ready. We’re prepared” while at the same time warning of the risks ahead for US troops.

“I know that every order I give can bring a cost. I also know, without a doubt, that every order I give will be carried out with skill and unselfish courage.

“Some crucial hours may lie ahead. We know the challenges and the dangers we face.”

But he said he was determined that the United States would act if “forced”.

“Should Saddam Hussein seal his fate by refusing to disarm, by ignoring the opinion of the world, you’ll be fighting not to conquer anybody, but to liberate people,” he told troops.

“No matter what their oppressors may say, the people of Iraq have no love for tyranny,” Bush added.

The US troops sat quietly for most of the speech but cheered wildly at the end as Bush warned Saddam.

The Pentagon on Friday ordered some units of the Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California, to go to the Gulf.

Nearly 60,000 US military personnel are already in the Gulf and that number could double in coming weeks.—Reuters