"War is not a solution to any problem. The solution should be found through peaceful means," Vajpayee was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

"No government has the right to have weapons that kill hundreds and thousands of people, but does Iraq have that kind of weapon?" the Prime Minister queried.

He said the world would not be able to accept the US action as it was unilateral.

"There is every need to strengthen the United Nations which is being ignored," he said.

SPACE.WIRE