The British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair today branded Mr Saddam Hussein the most dangerous leader in the world as he defended British and US air raids on Iraq.
|
|
Saddam Hussein
|
Mr Blair also claimed other world leaders were more supportive of the recent air strikes against Baghdad than their public comments revealed.
He refused to speculate on which leaders he had in mind.
"I think that what we are doing on Iraq is absolutely essential," Mr Blair told a gathering of US and Canadian correspondents as he prepared to fly to Ottowa and Washington.
"I can never understand how people can look at the history of Saddam and come to any other conclusion than that he's a dangerous man - probably the most dangerous leader anywhere in the world at the present time."
Asked about condemnation from other nations Mr Blair replied: "I think we are less alone than it seems on this. I think people sometimes understand that we will be the ones that act."
The Prime Minister also said President Saddam had not bought any medical aid for his people for six months under the United Nations sanctions programme.
"I feel really sorry for the Iraqi people. I feel sorry for them being under the heel of Saddam."
The future of sanctions against Iraq is expected to feature in talks between Mr Blair and President George W. Bush on Friday.
PA