"We reject and condemn this insolence and this aggression...Iraq cannot accept dictated orders, and even less so coming from the U.S. administration," Hammadi said

BAGHDAD, March 20 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – With the U.S. military aggression against Iraq hanging over the heads, the Iraqi parliament united Wednesday, March 19, behind President Saddam Hussein, vowing that he would lead the nation to triumph in any U.S.-led war.

Saddam won unanimous support from his loyal deputies, who pledged in emergency session to shed their blood in defence of their country and insisted Saddam would never bow to U.S. pressure to leave the country.

"History will recall how the people of Iraq, under the glorious leadership of Saddam Hussein, inflicted a lesson on the worthless," they said in a statement approved by every MP present.

"Saddam Hussein is the guarantor of our future," said the lawmakers, adding that "the defeat of the evil aggressors will serve as an example."

They also sent Saddam a letter saying they were ready to become "martyrs" to defend the nation. Most of Iraq's 250 MPs were in attendance at the session.

U.S. President George W. Bush has given Saddam and his two sons until early Thursday, March 20, Baghdad time to flee the country or face war.

"This can never happen," said parliament speaker Saadun Hammadi.

"He is at his best. He will fight and guide our country to victory."

The Iraqi leader on Tuesday rejected the ultimatum as "despicable" and vowed any war would be "the last battle of aggression undertaken by America against the Arabs."

Hammadi told the packed chamber: "We reject and condemn this insolence and this aggression ... Iraq cannot accept dictated orders, and even less so coming from the U.S. administration."

 “Definite Death”

Iraqi Information Minister Mohamed Said Al-Sahaf also vowed stiff resistance to the looming aggression, adding that Iraq would never be an easy prey for U.S.-British invading forces.

Noting that Washington was deceiving U.S. soldiers and officers, Sahaf said that  any invasion of Iraq meant sending them to their death.

"They are lying to their soldiers and officers by telling them that an aggression against Iraq would be a picnic ... but they are (sending them to) definite death," Sahhaf told reporters.

"We call on the soldiers and officers to pay attention," he said. "All the country is completely prepared to foil any stupid aggression."

The minister also denounced the decision by the United States and Britain not to attend a U.N. Security Council meeting later Wednesday to discuss the Iraq standoff.

Ministers from seven Council members -- Angola, Cameroon, France, Germany, Guinea and Russia -- were expected to be present, but not from the United States or Britain.

"Their absence is the natural development of the isolation witnessed in the summit at the Azores islands," Sahhaf said.

The White House announced on Tuesday that U.S. would invade the country to hunt for alleged weapons of mass destruction even if Saddam stands down.

State television has since Tuesday, March 18,  been showing popular demonstrations in support of Saddam, which it said were being held across the country as Iraq braces for a second U.S.-led aggression.

More than 250,000 U.S. and British troops are poised on Iraq's outskirts waiting to attack, with ground troops on the ready in Kuwait, a naval armada in the Gulf and warplanes stationed in nearby Gulf countries.

"This battle will be Iraq's last battle against the tyrannous villains and the last battle of aggression undertaken by America against the Arabs," Saddam declared Tuesday.

The United States says it has the support of a "coalition of the willing" of 45 nations although 15 of them refuse to be named publicly.

Bush huddled with top national security aides Tuesday to study war plans and called British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his closest ally in the crisis, who has faced a damaging party rebellion over Iraq.