The Bush administration continues to make its case against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein Friday. The president also meets with more than a dozen African leaders to discuss civil war in Congo.
Secretary of State Colin Powell meets with representatives of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council Friday to work on a resolution to compel the Iraqi leader to comply with U.N. weapons inspections.
Joined by Secretary General Kofi Annan, Mr. Powell will meet with the other four members who hold veto power over Security Council resolutions Britain, France, Russia, and China.
With Britain openly backing a tougher stance against the Iraqi leader, U.S. diplomats will travel to Paris, Moscow, and Beijing as part of efforts to convince those governments to support action against Saddam Hussein.
President Bush Thursday said the Iraqi leader has defied U.N. resolutions to stop weapons productions and is now a threat to world peace because he could help terrorists acquire chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.
Mr. Bush did not threaten to attack Iraq but said action against Saddam Hussein will be "unavoidable" if he is not forced to disarm.
Before leaving New York Friday, the president will meet with leaders from more than a dozen nations affected by civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Congolese rebel supporter, Rwandan President Paul Kagame.