There is a limit to the world's patience with Saddam Hussein and military action should not be ruled out, Jack Straw has said.

The foreign secretary also warned that the danger posed by failed states such as Afghanistan under the Taleban needs to be met with strong action.

In a speech to mark the forthcoming first anniversary of 11 September, Mr Straw said that the world must be prepared to use sanctions or even force to avoid a repeat of last years terror attacks.

Saddam Hussein has undermined global security - and flouted international law - for over a decade

Jack Straw

Speaking at Birmingham University, the foreign secretary said that Iraq was not a failed state but rather one that is excessively strong and centralised.

"In his single-minded pursuit of an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein has undermined global security - and flouted international law - for over a decade," he said.

"Until Saddam cooperates fully with UN weapons inspectors, we have no guarantees that a dictator who has previously shown no restraint in using weapons of mass destruction will not use them again.

Mr Bush is due to meet the prime minister

"In these circumstances it would be wildly irresponsible to argue that patience with Iraq should be unlimited, or that military action should not be an option."

However Mr Straw added that threats to global order should be dealt with within the "existing legal framework".

The foreign secretary's comments came as Prime Minister Tony Blair said the UK was willing to pay a "blood price" for its special relationship with the US when the shooting started.

Bush-Blair meeting

The comments come against the background of a poll of 100 Labour MPs suggesting an overwhelming majority opposed to a war with Iraq based on current evidence of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

Mr Blair is due to hold talks with the US president at the weekend.

Mr Straw will then join George W Bush in New York for a UN meeting.