"I believe it is right to deal with Saddam through the United Nations," Blair told the annual convention of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on the eve of the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

"But if we do so, then the challenge to all in the UN is this -- the UN must be the way to resolve the threat from Saddam, not avoid it.... And let it be clear that, should the will of the UN be ignored, action will follow."

Blair also called for a relaunch of the collapsed Middle East peace process, including US involvement, "based on the twin principles of an Israel safe and secure within its borders, and a viable Palestinian state."

"This must go alongside renewed efforts on international terrorism," he said. "That threat has not gone away. I cannot emphasize this too strongly."

Blair's speech to Britain's biggest labor federation was seen as a foretaste of the address that US President George W. Bush is to make Thursday to the UN General Assembly in New York.

The two leaders held crisis talks on Iraq last Saturday.

Nampa-AFP

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