Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to world stability, the British Prime Minister said today.
Mr Tony Blair said he agreed with the "sentiment" behind US President Mr George W Bush's description of Iraq belonging to an "axis of evil".
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"I certainly agree with him [President Bush] very strongly that weapons of mass destruction represent a real threat to world stability," Mr Blair said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He is travelling to Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting today.
"It is an issue that those who are engaged in spreading weapons of mass destruction are engaged in an evil trade and it is important that we make sure that we take action in respect of it," he said.
"I think that George Bush has shown tremendous leadership since September 11th. I think he has acted always in a very measured way, in a calm way, but he is right to raise these issues and certainly he has our support in doing so".
Mr Blair said: "We do constantly look at Iraq . . . Saddam Hussein's regime is a regime that is deeply repressive to its people and is a real danger to the region.
"The accumulation of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq poses a threat, a threat not just to the region but to the wider world, and I think George Bush was absolutely right to raise it. Now what action we take in respect of that, that is an open matter for discussion".
It is reported Mr Blair will meet President Bush in Washington in April to finalise what action should be taken against Iraq. Military action is said to be one of the options as part of a "second phase" in the war on terrorism.
PA