Blix Denounces U.S.-Led War In Iraq

Speaking on Swedish Radio, Blix questioned whether Saddam Hussein posed an immediate threat to his neighbors or to the United States. And, Blix said, the Bush administration had other reasons to invade besides finding and destroying weapons of mass destruction it said were in Iraq.

Blix called the weapons angle "the officially pronounced purpose." He said the United States also needed to show "striking power" following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Bush launched the war March 19 without endorsement from the U.N. Security Council, after months of lobbying for a U.N.-backed strike.

Most members of the council argued that while Saddam Hussein may have banned weapons, there is no immediate threat to justify a war. They supported continued weapons inspection over military action.