A meeting of the Iraqi cabinet, chaired by President Saddam Hussein, has issued a statement saying that those "beating the drums of war" will not force Baghdad to relinquish its national rights.

It adds that there is no need for a new UN resolution because Iraq had already accepted the return of weapons inspectors.

The following is the text of the statement as broadcast by Iraqi Satellite Channel Television on 1 October.

"Evil intentions"

The feverish and unpleasant statements of those who rallied to show hostility towards the Arab nation have increased recently, despite Iraq's agreement to allow the return of inspectors.

Such moves shed further light on their veiled wicked intentions against the security, wealth, rights and sovereignty of our nation.

What do they really want, now that their plans have failed when Iraq agreed to allow the return of UN inspectors?

These moves also show their evil role to cover the criminal Zionist acts against the heroic people of Palestine inside the occupied territories.

Therefore, we urge the world states to ask themselves and to ask the evil ones - who are loaded with evil intentions and the scorching sparks that come out of their mouths and actions, causing fires, injustice, destruction and murder in more than one place in the world, including Iraq - what next?

Arms inspections

What do they really want, now that their plans have failed when Iraq agreed to allow the return of UN inspectors?

If they think that their evil pressure will push Iraq to accept the unacceptable...they are even more wrong

What is the use of their attempt to push the UN Security Council to issue new resolutions, despite the clear agreement between the UN secretary-general and Iraq?

To the evil ones and to those who might believe their deceit, we clearly say: If they think that the drums of war, which they are beating louder day by day, might push Iraq to relinquish its national rights and what it was guaranteed by the UN Charter and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, then they are wrong.

If they think that their evil pressure will push Iraq to accept the unacceptable, including any new UN Security Council resolution that might be issued under their pressure contrary to what we have said, then they are even more wrong.

Tomorrow is very close for those who await it.

Support for Palestinians

To our people in Palestine, we salute and greet them and their brilliant steadfastness, jihad and struggle.

We tell them: Despite all attempts by the evildoers, we will remain with you, holding your hand.

We consider your struggle part of the Iraqi people's struggle and jihad.

We will not be dissuaded from doing so by any sacrifice or despicable position.

God is great. God is great. God is great.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.