Further waves of US and British air strikes hit Iraq last night and early this morning as Republicans on Capitol Hill demanded the start of the debate which is expected to result in the impeachment of President Clinton.
Iraqi anti-aircraft fire was heard in Baghdad as about 12 explosions were heard, according to witnesses.
The US impeachment debate was postponed from yesterday to allow the House of Representatives to vote overwhelmingly for a resolution supporting US forces involved in the military action against Iraq.
The Republican leadership planned to begin the debate today and have the impeachment votes tomorrow. It was not clear last night if the Democrats, who are in a minority, would support this.
But another element was introduced last night when the incoming Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Bob Livingston, admitted to his Republican colleagues that he had had a number of extra-marital affairs which almost cost him his marriage.
Americans appeared to be giving strong support to the strikes. In a CBS poll, about 80 per cent said they favoured them. In an ABC poll, 62 per cent said attacking Iraq was the right thing to do.
Security has been strengthened at airports and embassies against the threat of reprisals from Arab terrorist groups.
President Clinton strongly rejected suggestions he had ordered the strikes to try to head off impeachment. "I don't believe any serious person would believe any president would do such a thing," he said yesterday.
However, the military action has not been greeted with universal approval; rather, opinion has been polarised.
The senior UN weapons inspector, Mr Richard Butler, said last night that he would not step down following a call for his resignation from the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov. Russia recalled its ambassador to Washington.
Earlier, President Yeltsin said the attacks "crudely violated" the UN charter and were "fraught with the most dramatic consequences" for the Gulf region. The Duma backed a resolution accusing the US and Britain of "international terrorism".
In Beijing, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr Sun Yuxi, said China was shocked. "We urge the United States to immediately stop its military action towards Iraq," Mr Sun said.
France distanced itself from the attacks but blamed Baghdad. "France deplores the escalation which led to the American military strikes against Iraq and the grave human consequences which they could have for the Iraqi people," the Foreign Ministry said.
But in Britain, Mr Tony Blair was resolute in his support for the action - and for Mr Clinton. The US President had "shown the courage to do the right thing and he has my full support," Mr Blair told the Commons.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he was disappointed the action was "deemed necessary".
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said the decision to attack had been taken by the military forces of two countries, without consultation with others. He questioned the legality of the action.
Describing President Saddam Hussein as "an evil dictator", the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said his continued refusal to allow UNSCOM test and inspect military installations was further proof of his malicious intent.
The German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, said in Dublin that military action happened because it was "not possible for the UNSCOM team of inspectors to complete their work".
President Saddam called on his people to resist: "Fight the enemies of God," he urged. "God willing, you will be the victors."
The Iraqi Health Minister, Mr Umeed Madhat Mubarak, said at least 25 people had died and 75 others had been wounded in Baghdad alone after the first attacks.
In Washington, Mr Clinton insisted that the impeachment debate would not undermine his authority to pursue the air strikes.