President George W Bush on Thursday gave the clearest indication yet that an American attack on Iraq could be round the corner, warning Baghdad: "The game is over."

Bush also said that the United States would 'welcome and support' a new UN Security Council resolution if it highlights the world body's resolve.

'Resolutions mean little without resolve', he said, asking the Security Council not to back down when its demands were 'defied and mocked by a dictator'.

Bush did not respond when asked whether he would set a deadline for the UN to act, but many analysts said that the war would begin not long after the next report by the UN inspectors.

"Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein can now be expected to begin another round of empty concessions and transparently false denials. No doubt he will play a last-minute game of deception," Bush said after complimenting Secretary of State Colin Powell at the White House for his forceful presentation of Iraq's arms programme at the Security Council.

"The game is over. All the world can rise to this moment. The community of free nations can show that it is strong and confident and determined to keep the peace," he added.