U.S. President George W. Bush's ultimatum for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country passed at 4:00 A.M. Baghdad time (0100 GMT) on Thursday. There were no signs Saddam would comply, despite a last-minute offer from Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to offer him asylum.
CBS News reported that the U.S.-led offensive against Iraq would begin within 24 to 48 hours after the deadline passed.
Bahrain's Information Minister Nabil al-Hamer said that his country's offer was relayed to Saddam through "diplomatic channels."
"It's the last-hour chance, and we hope that Iraq will accept this offer to avoid war," al-Hamer said. "As a regional country Bahrain shares the responsibility to maintain peace in the area and we believe nobody wants war."
The official Bahrain News Agency reported that the announcement came at an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by the king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (Albawaba.com)
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