Speaking at a press conference, Howard said he would expect that the US government would make a formal request to Australia to join military action "in the event of the final diplomatic moves being unsuccessful."

Howard made the remarks after hearing a telephone briefing from US President George W. Bush on Sunday's four-nation emergency summit on Iraq in Portugal's Azores Islands.

Bush announced on Sunday that Monday would be the last day to determine whether international diplomacy could work for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis.

"Tomorrow will be a moment of truth for the world" over the Iraq issue, and would be the last day to determine whether international diplomacy could work, Bush told reporters at a press conference at the end of his meeting with British and Spanish counterparts in Azores, Portugal.

Howard said that the Australian cabinet meeting will be convened on Monday night to discuss the Iraqi issue, but is not expected to make a final decision on the country's participation in the Iraqi war.

Earlier in the day, Howard told a local radio that the cabinet would meet "sometime early this week" to decide whether to commit the country's troops to the war against Iraq.

"As far as the issue of commitments is concerned, we've put ourselves in the position to make the commitment," the prime minister said.

Howard said the only reason his government has not already formally committed to war was to give the UN Security Council time to decide whether or not to back military action to disarm Iraq.

Howard also said that he did not consider a new UN endorsement necessary to act against the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, saying "... the morality is even more important than the legality."

"In the end, it is more likely than not that President (US President George W.) Bush would then issue Iraq with an ultimatum, and give a couple of days or a bit more than that for the ultimatum ," Howard said.

"Then, if the ultimatum is rejected, it is possible there could be military conflict before the end of the week," the prime minister said.

Howard warned Australian who are still in Iraq to leave quickly.

Australia has already deployed 2,000 troops, fighter aircraft and three navy ships to the Gulf to join a massive US-British military buildup.

Australians Urged to Leave Iraq

Canberra urged Monday its about 50 citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The foreign affairs department said there could be military action against Iraq before the end of the week.

According to the Australian Associated Press, a spokeswoman for the department said there were 48 Australians known to be in Iraq, including six acting as so-called human shields. "We've been warning Australians to get out of Iraq for some time and we've also said that should hostilities break out that there will be very limited consular services available," she said.

Earlier Monday, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said, "Australians should leave Iraq in any case. I don't think Australians should be in Iraq any longer and I would like to feel that, you know, in the next couple of days, Australians would leave the country."

Canberra is believed to announce its commitment to the war in days with 2,000 troops being deployed in the Gulf since February.

Howard Strongly Attacks France

Australian Prime Minister John Howard made Monday his toughest attack on France so far.

According to the Australian Associated Press, the prime minister accused the French position on Iraq of being hypocritical.

"They voted for resolution 1441 -- the 17th resolution -- and nobody is arguing that Iraq has complied with that 17th resolution and they are now saying they are going to veto an 18th resolution," Howard said.

He claimed the American and British military build-up had forced Iraq to let the inspectors in and to yield a few co-operation, and added " There is a logical inconsistency with attacking the policy that has at its core the military build up, yet say `thank you very much' for the benefits." Howard said.

"I see a hypocrisy and inconsistency in all of that," Howard attacked in anger.

As Americans did last week, Howard pointed out the French President Chirac was seeking bigger place in the international stage. "The French, I believe, see this as an opportunity to reposition themselves in international diplomatic firmament rather than addressing the merits of disarming Iraq. I think that is very disappointing to say the least."

Howard made the attack after United States President George W Bush briefed him with developments on Iraq from the Azores summit.

Bush met in Azores the prime ministers of Britain and Spain and afterwards gave Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein 24 more hours to disarm.

Earlier, Howard said his cabinet would meet early in the week to make a decision about war on Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2003)