Two non-governmental organisations have joined diverse voices around the world in condemning the United States-led attack o­n Iraq and expressing their dismay over the invading countries' defiance of international norms.

In a press statement, social reform movement Aliran expressed gave concern that the US and its key allies, Britain and Australia, had chosen to ignore world opinion and international appeals for peace and patience in launching the attack o­n Iraq today.

"It is appalling that worldwide protests to register abhorrence for war by millions of people across the globe has been completely dismissed. America has clearly scoffed at world opinion," said Aliran.

UN crippled

The US government announced its "opening stages" of military action against Baghdad at about 5.30 am (10.30 Malaysian time) to pave the way for an invasion of Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein.

The attack came about 90 minutes after the expiry of the 48-hour deadline given to Saddam and his two sons, Qusay and Uday, to leave the country.

By launching the military strike, Aliran said that the invading countries have clearly "defied and denigrated" international law and order.

"The United Nations' authority has been crippled and the UN itself has been rendered impotent. It means that might has trampled o­n morality. It means that peace was never given a chance to prevail."

'Stop the war'

Meanwhile, rights groups Tenaganita said the impending humanitarian catastrophe that the war would bring was already evident with reports of Iraqi women rushing to give birth ahead of the US attacks.

Quoting from international news reports, Tenaganita said pregnant women in the country had demanded for caesareans births rather than risk delivering their babies during the war, thereby putting at risk their health and that of their babies.

"It is indeed not o­nly painful to see women affected in this manner but also tells the world that this war will destroy innocent lives," said Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez.

Fernandez urged those against the war to continue putting pressure o­n the US to stop its unilateral action.

"The protests must continue. There is no compromise to war. This war has undermined the value and authority of the UN.

"Unilateralism as committed by the US cannot be the precedent for international resolutions and relations. The international community must now with great forthright stop the war," she stressed.