Bush plan to invade Iraq challenged by senators

President George Bush's plans to oust Saddam Hussein are to be queried by the powerful Senate Foreign Relations committee.

The chairman, Senator Joseph Biden, said he planned to ask Mr Bush's advisers to explain how removing the dictator would be accomplished and who would replace him.

"I want them to refine their objectives," he said. "I want to know what scenarios there are for eliminating the biological weapons that Iraq might use if we attack. I'd like to know how important our allies are in this."

Concern at Mr Bush's plans has grown for months. Last week The New York Times reported that Pentagon planners were proposing to invade Iraq with up to 250,000 troops, probably early next year, using American bases in a number of countries in the region.

Mr Biden said the issue of an Iraqi successor was vital and was one reason that allied forces did not push on to Baghdad in the Gulf War. He said Mr Bush had asked him why he didn't agree with his methods. Mr Biden explained: "I always kid him and say, 'Mr President, there is a reason why your father stopped and didn't go to Baghdad – he didn't want to stay for five years'."