ROME, September 16 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The head of Italy's Catholic bishops said a U.S.-led war against Iraq would have "unacceptable" human consequences and would destabilize the Middle East, while Jordan's opposition Islamic Action Front (IAF) charged Monday, September 16, that U.S. pledges to work with the U.N. Security Council on a new resolution on Iraq were nothing more than "deceit".

Opening a three-day meeting of the ruling council of the Italian Catholic Bishops Conference, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, called for greater vigilance by the international community to prevent the conflict from breaking out, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Without doubt, more rigorous vigilance is necessary to prevent the risk of a new and greater tragedy," he said.

Ruini said a new war "would have unacceptable human costs and very serious destabilizing effects on the entire Middle Eastern region, and probably around the world."

The cardinal said the dissuasive power of the United Nations, "with the strongest determination and the sincere and solid commitment of all countries capable of exercising real influence, even in this difficult situation," could guarantee peace and security.

At the same time, he said the Baghdad government "must obviously show its willingness to respect accords."

In Amman, meanwhile, Jordan's IAF slammed U.S. President George W. Bush's pledges to work with the U.N. to justify invading Iraq were nothing more than a "deceit".

"We warn against the dangers of the deceit" contained in Bush's speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, September 12, the party said in a statement, AFP reported.

Bush said he would work with the U.N. on a new resolution to force Iraq to comply with past Security Council resolutions, stressing that Iraq must be disarmed or face an "unavoidable" war.

"By turning to the United Nations, the U.S. president is deceiving the American people ... and world public opinion," the IAF said, adding that Bush was preparing for unilateral military action against Iraq.

It also criticized Arab countries, which welcomed Bush's speech, saying this was a "let-down for Iraq and the Arab people" and recalling that an Arab summit last March in Beirut rejected any attack on Iraqi sovereignty.

The IAF echoed Jordan's official position that Baghdad should engage in a dialogue with the United Nations for an end to the U.N. sanctions in force against Iraq since 1990.

However, it did not uphold Amman's stand that Iraq should allow the return of weapons inspectors in line with U.N. and U.S. demands.

Following Bush's speech before the United Nations, opposition to military strikes against Iraq retreated significantly, while pressure grew on Baghdad to let the inspectors back in without conditions.