“The US wants to annihilate Iraq and then divide up the Middle East. We are all threatened. No Arab countries will be spared or unscathed from the US even if they take part alongside America in the aggression against Iraq,” Aziz told a conference of Arab intellectuals and politicians rallying against a US aggression and opposing the 12-year-old embargo of Iraq.

“Don't think that (they are safe) if they make nice statements and offer bases to the Americans. When the crime ends, they will be made to submit to America and Zionism," Aziz said.

“After having finished their crime in Iraq, they will turn their attention to the others because for the US, the Arabs are forbidden to own their own wealth and have a voice," Aziz told an audience of about 800 people.

The Deputy Premier also told Jordan he believed it would be the dumping ground for Palestinians the Zionist entity would force out during the chaos of a strike on Iraq.

The Deputy Premier also told Jordan he believed it would be the dumping ground for Palestinians the Zionist entity would force out during the chaos of a strike on Iraq.

“The important thing, particularly for our brothers in Jordan, is the transfer plan...which is on the table now. When there is a full-scale attack, Israeli tanks will herd people toward Jordan...And (then) the transfer plan, and making a Palestinian state in Jordan instead of Palestine," said Aziz.

He also vehemently denied US and British charges that Iraq possesses any chemical or biological weapons as well as a secret programme to build a nuclear bomb. He also denied US, British claims of harboring al-Qaeda net members or any terrorist group.

“Since the end of 1991, all prohibited weapons were destroyed in Iraq," he insisted. Aziz blasted the threat of "American imperialism which represents political, military and economic hegemony" for the Arab world. The US imperialists are stealing the Middle East's wealth. They are stirring up problems in the regions they want to dominate", he elborated.

He warned Washington was drawing up a new map of the region. Aziz also paid tribute to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad who has forged strong ties with Baghdad with saying that all Arab leaders have abandoned us, but the Syria helps Iraq.

Several Arab countries including Syria and Egypt, Iraq’s most vocal advocate against a US attack, have urged Iraq in recent weeks to comply fully with UN resolutions including those demanding Iraq dispose of weapons of mass destruction.

Those present included British Labour Member of Parliament George Galloway, who said he represented his colleagues opposed to the US and British governments' policy on Iraq.
Warning that Bush was "driving along the edge of a precipice Galloway said other regimes apart from that of Iraq could change.

Aziz, for his part, told journalists the rally, grouping leading Syrians and delegations from elsewhere, including Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestine, showed that people would act together in the face of aggression.
The congress is scheduled to end Wednesday with a final statement.