Bush called on countries to face up to their responsibilities

President Bush also tackled the aftermath of war in the Gulf, detailed Saddam's "charade", and discussed the situation in North Korea.

On the threat from Saddam

President Bush said: "Saddam Hussein has a long history of reckless aggression and terrible crimes. He possess weapons of terror.

"He provides funding and training and safe haven to terrorists, terrorists who would willingly use weapons of mass destruction against America and other peace-loving countries.

"Saddam Hussein and his weapons are a direct threat to this country, to our people and to all free people."

On the aftermath of war

Mr Bush said the US was totally committed to protecting the innocent in the event of war and suggested Iraqis would finally get a democracy.

He said: "We will bring food and medicine to the Iraqi people. We will help that nation to build a just government after decades of brutal dictatorship.

"The form and leadership of that government is for the Iraqi people to choose. Anything they choose will be better than the misery and torture and murder they have known under Saddam Hussein.

"If we go to war, there will be a regime change and replacing this cancer inside of Iraq will be a government that represents the rights of all the people."

Mr Bush insisted he wanted Iraq to be a "place where people can see Shia, Sunni and Kurds can get along in a federation" and a place which was a "catalyst for positive change".

On the destruction of the al-Samoud II missiles

Mr Bush said: "Iraq's dictator has made a public show of producing and destroying a few missiles, missiles that violate the restrictions set out more than 10 years ago.

"Yet our intelligence shows that even as he is destroying these few missiles, he has ordered the continued production of the very same type of missiles."

On the shifting of weapons of mass destruction

Mr Bush said: "Iraqi operatives continue to hide biological and chemical agents to avoid detection by inspectors.

"In some cases, these materials have been moved to different locations every 12 to 24 hours or placed in vehicles that are in residential neighbourhoods."

On calling a vote on a second UN resolution

"We will call for a vote no matter what the whip count (predicted vote tally) is.

"We want people to stand up and say what their opinion is of Saddam Hussein. It is time for people to show their cards and let the world know where they stand."

On how opposition to war could provoke rifts

Mr Bush said whatever the nature of disagreements with France, Germany and other powers it would not harm relations.

"They are still our friends and we will deal with them as friends."

Bush saw more diplomatic hope for North Korea

"There was no disagreement when it came to voting on resolution 1441. If they think more time will cause him to disarm, I disagree."

He said Turkey's failure to support the US by allowing the use of its territory would not stop it remaining a strategic friend.

"I support Turkey going into the EU. Turkey is a friend. They are a Nato ally, we will continue to work with Turkey.

"We have got contingencies in place should our troops not be allowed to come through Turkey. It won't cause any more hardship for our troops - I'm confident of that."

On North Korea's nuclear programme

President Bush said he hoped a multilateral diplomatic solution could prevent North Korea end its defiance of the international community and halt its nuclear weapons programme.

He said it was a "regional issue" which would involve the US, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

"There's a lot of countries that have got a direct stake in whether or not North Korea has a nuclear weapon.

"We're working the issue hard and I'm optimistic we'll come up with a diplomatic solution. I hope so.

"I think the best way to deal with this is in multilateral fashion by convincing those nations that they must stand up to their responsibility, along with the United States, to convince Kim Jong-il that the development of a nuclear arsenal is not in his nation's interests.

"Should he want help in easing the suffering of the North Korean people, the best way to achieve that help is to not proceed forward."

On foreigners now in Iraq

Mr Bush said all foreign nationals - including UN inspectors and aid workers - would be given notice to leave before any conflict started.

He said: "We will give people a chance to leave, and we don't want anybody in harm's way who shouldn't be in harm's way.

"We have no quarrel with anybody other than Saddam and his group of killers."

On the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohamed

Mr Bush said the American and Pakistani authorities had captured "the mastermind of the 11 September attacks against our nation".

He added: "Khalid Sheikh Mohammed conceived and planned the hijackings and directed the actions of the hijackers.

"We believe his capture will further disrupt the terror network and their planning for additional attacks."