Get out or it's war, Bush tells Saddam

US, Britain and Spain 'reserve right to take own steps'

The US, Britain and Spain today halted efforts to win UN approval for their ultimatum to Iraq, clearing the way for them to launch a war without Security Council authority.

A diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis "will not be possible" under the terms of United Nations Resolution 1441, Britain's Ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock said today.

Sir Jeremy said that the three co-sponsors of a second resolution – Britain, the US and Spain – "reserve their right to take their own steps to secure the disarmament of Iraq".

He blamed France for the decision, saying the French had made it clear they would veto any resolution.

Meanwhile, the White House said the "diplomatic window has closed" on Iraq disarming.

President George Bush is to address the US tonight to give Saddam Hussein a final ultimatum, said his spokesman Ari Fleischer, adding: "He will say that to avoid military conflict Saddam Hussein must leave the country."

The US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "I can think of nothing that Saddam Hussein could do diplomatically. That time is now over. He has had his chance. He's had many chances over the last 12 years and he's blown every one of those chances."

The President is expected to give Saddam a brief window, perhaps 48 or 72 hours, to depart before the attacks start.

As they spoke, UN weapons inspectors began checking out of their Baghdad hotels. Meanwhile, share values leaped in London and New York, with traders seemingly grateful that months of uncertainty were coming to an end.