The United States is pressing ahead with plans for a possible invasion of Iraq, a day after US and British planes launched a raid, which Baghdad said killed six people. Sunday night's air strike in the southern province of Basra marked an escalation in military action against Iraq. The US Defence Department says it has expanded the number of military targets, which can be attacked by US and UK planes patrolling the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq.

Authorities in Baghdad said that six Iraqis died and 15 were wounded in the raid.

However, the UK Ministry of Defence insisted there was no evidence anyone had been killed or injured.

Franks & Rumsfeld to Discuss Situation

US General Tommy Franks, who will lead any invasion, is due to hold talks on Tuesday in Washington with Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld.

The pair will discuss alternative strategies after Turkey's parliament rejected a request for 62,000 US troops to use the country as a launch pad for an invasion into neighbouring northern Iraq.

The Turkish parliament, which narrowly turned down the plan on Sunday, was originally due to vote again on Tuesday.
However, that vote has been delayed indefinitely - leaving US plans in limbo.

Military Build-up

US preparations for a possible invasion are continuing despite Iraq's destruction of 16 of its banned al-Samoud II missiles in the past three days.

Defence Secretary Rumsfeld signed orders over the weekend deploying the 1st Armoured Division and the 1st Cavalry Division, an unnamed US defence official told the AFP news agency.

Military experts say that while Washington has not given up hope that Turkey might relent, it does has a "Plan B" which would involve flying troops directly into northern Iraq.

General James L Jones, the chief of US forces in Europe, admitted on Monday that Turkey's decision reduced US options but added: "I don't think it will be a show-stopper."

Despite the impasse over Turkey, more US forces are heading towards the Gulf.

On Monday, US aircraft carrier Nimitz left San Diego at the head of a five-ship battle group.

When it arrives in a week, the nuclear-powered Nimitz - carrying 70 aircraft - will be the sixth US carrier within striking distance of Iraq.

Additionally, two more armoured divisions are being sent to the Gulf, it was reported late on Monday.

UK-Russia Talks

On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov is arriving in London on Tuesday for talks likely to be dominated by Iraq.

Russia strongly opposes a new UN Security Council resolution jointly sponsored by the US, UK and Spain, which calls for military action to forcibly disarm the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Crucial Vote

UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix is due to present his latest report detailing Iraqi disarmament on Friday.

The Security Council is expected to take its crucial vote on the new resolution at some point in the following week.

The US and the UK are frantically lobbying Security Council members to pass the resolution, while France has headed efforts calling for weapons inspections to be given more time.

However US President George W Bush has already indicated that while UN backing would be beneficial, an invasion could be launched regardless of the vote.

PHOTO CAPTION

U.S. Army Pvt. Sarah Fiala, 22, provides security for a disabled vehicle along a highway in the northern Kuwaiti desert Monday March 3, 2003. Forces continue the military buildup in Kuwait in anticipation of possible conflict with Iraq. (AP Photo/John Moore) - Mar 03 3:02