UP to 250,000 US and British troops will be ready for action in the Gulf if war is declared on Iraq.

So far 1,500 Territorial Army British reservists have been called up for a possible conflict.

But Germany, France, Russia and China want to seek an alternative, more peaceful, means of disarming Iraq.

Saddam has the option of leaving Iraq and being an exile in a neighbouring country such as Saudi Arabia or Egypt.

Reports suggest he is equipping his troops with chemical warfare suits and the drug atropine, used to counter the effects of nerve gas.

If Iraq uses chemical or biological weapons, Blair and Bush have not ruled out nuclear strikes.

Much of the world, however, is urging America and Britain to hang fire until the United Nations gives full backing to a war. Weapons inspectors have yet to find a "smoking gun".

Chief White House spokesman Ari Fleischer believes a war against Iraq would be supported by Australia, Italy, Spain and "virtually all of the eastern European countries."

Anti-war protesters look likely to step up their demonstrations, however. Hundreds of thousands of people have already taken to Britain's streets and a growing number of celebrities have hit out against war.