A War with Iraq Unavoidable: Israeli DM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 05, 2003

A War with Iraq Unavoidable: Israeli DM

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday that it appears a US-led war with Iraq is unavoidable.

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Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday that it appears a US-led war with Iraq is unavoidable.

Mofaz, during a visit to an Israeli navy base in Haifa, said US Secretary of State Colin Powell would address the UN Security Council soon, where he is expected to outline clear evidence that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is concealing weapons of mass destruction.

"It is my impression, the Americans are determined to go ahead (with the assault). I can say with all due caution that it appears that the assault (on Iraq) is inevitable," Mofaz told reporters.

However, the defense minister added that there is no reason for Israeli citizens to be concerned, and the necessary Israeli preparations for a conflict with Iraq are underway.

He noted that all preparations for such an eventuality were going ahead as planned in Israel and if any additional measures were required they would be implemented in accordance with assessments of the situation.

He said he did not see any need for the Israeli public to be unduly concerned or for any changes to be made in daily routine.

Also on Tuesday, a joint US-Israel anti-missile test was conducted in southern Israel.

Israeli army officials said later that the military exercise wasa success, with all of the 14 Patriot missiles fired striking theirintended targets.

Israel has deployed the Patriot anti-missile system and its new multi-billion dollar Arrow missile killer system around the country. The two systems are expected to be used concurrently during possible missile attacks.

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