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PRETORIA, July 9 (AFP) - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz said Tuesday tIraq was an independent country ready to defend itself against aggression, a day after US President George W. Bush threatened to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Aziz was speaking at the end of a six-day visit to South Africa to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

On Monday Bush vowed at a news conference in Washington to use "all tools" at his disposal to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

"It's a stated policy of this government to have regime change. And it hasn't changed. And we'll use all tools at our disposal to do so," the US president said.

The Bush administration has repeatedly threatened to topple Saddam's regime, which it accuses of developing weapons of mass destruction.

Aziz reacted: "President Bush and his government did not bring the Iraqi leadership to power in Iraq, and therefore they cannot remove the leadership from this place.

"The people of Iraq are an independent people... they are capable of defending their sovereignty their dignity and integrity."

US foreign policy is a threat not only to Iraq but to the world, Aziz said.

"As far as Iraq is concerned we have been the victim of American agression since 1990, so it is not surprising that they are continuing their threats. We are very well prepared to defend our country against any kind of aggression."

Aziz proclaimed Iraq's support for the African Union, launched in the east coast city of Durban on Tuesday to replace the 39-year-old Organisation of African Unity.

"This union is going to create an international organisation that will help create peace and security and justice... and we will always stand in support of the African Union," he said. - Nampa-AFP

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