Iraq calls on Arabs to ignore UN ban

IRAQ'S FOREIGN minister,Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf criticised Saudi Arabia and Kuwait yesterday, accusing them of supporting last month's US and British airstrikes and called on Arab states to ignore the UN embargo against Iraq.

The official Saudi Arabian news agency, meanwhile, urged Iraqis to overthrow President Saddam Hussein, saying he had killed and tortured thousands of his people.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa echoed that call, saying President Saddam is "shaming the entire Arab region with his policies"

These statements - the first direct Arab demands to oust President Saddam - come a few days after Iraq's leader called on Arabs to rise up against rulers "who boast of friendship with the United States." (AP)