"The chief UN weapons inspectors, Hans Blix and Mohamed El Baradei, are to return to Baghdad for talks, where veteran leftwinger Tony Benn yesterday met with President Saddam.

Speaking after the meeting, expected to be televised within days, Mr Benn said: "I do believe that it is possible to halt the march to war." He was expected back in Britain today.

don.

"Mr Hoon has previously warned the Iraqi leader that Britain would use nuclear weapons in the right conditions.

The international development secretary, Clare Short, said: "I can't see any scenarios where contemplating the use of nuclear weapons would be of any use whatever."

However, Mr Hoon said: "We have always made it clear we would reserve the right to use our nuclear weapons in conditions of extreme national self defence."

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