British P.M. Blair presents his evidence

Blair made his case at an emergency meeting in the House of Commons

President Bush's closest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, presents an ominous warning: He says that Iraq is capable of launching a chemical or biological weapon within minutes.

According to Prime Minister Blair, "Iraq continues to produce chemical weapons, has rebuilt previously destroyed production plants across Iraq, has bought dual use chemical facilities, has retained key personnel, has a serious ongoing research program into weapons production---all of it well-funded."

The 50-plus page file, or "dossier," was presented to Britain's House of Commons. It was also the focus of President Bush's Cabinet meeting.

While the White House calls Britain's findings "frightening," aides say it simply supports what Mr. Bush has been saying all along, namely that there's more than enough evidence to show Saddam is a threat to the world and that the United Nations should force Iraq to disarm.

"I again call for the United Nations to pass a strong resolution holding this man to account and if they're unable to do so, the United States and our friends will act because we believe in peace," said President Bush.

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As expected, Iraq dismissed Mr. Blair's report. "This evidence is a hodgepodge of half-truths, lies, short-sighted and naïve allegations, which will not hold," responded Lt. General Amir Hamud Sadi, an adviser to Saddam Hussein.

Mr. Blair, facing criticism at home, stopped short of calling for Saddam's removal from power. Mr. Bush has repeatedly called for a "regime change" in Iraq. But the White House downplayed this difference. Both Blair and Bush have been working closely to create a U.N. Security Council resolution forcing Saddam to disarm and comply with previous U.N. agreements.

The test now is to see if their strong rhetoric and diplomacy will pay off with the permanent members of the Security Council. Russia, China and France have all expressed reservations about going beyond weapons inspections in Iraq.