"It is already becoming clear how far removed from reality are their attempts to present military action against Iraq as a triumphant march for the liberation of the Iraqi people with minimal casualties and destruction," Ivanov told Russia's upper house of parliament.

"All Washington's and London's claims about legal grounds for resorting to military force are unfounded and these actions are unlawful," he said.

"The intention to forcefully impose this or that political system on a sovereign country is not only unlawful, but also doomed to failure," Ivanov noted.

Meanwhile, Ivanov said that only international inspectors can determine the origin if weapons of mass destruction are found by the anti-Iraq coalition.

"No other assessments will be accepted as finalized findings," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2003)