Calmy-Rey told the United Nations Human Rights Commission that protection of non-combatants was a central tenet of international humanitarian law.

"War does not justify all acts and especially not violations of the rights and existence of populations under fire, from whatever side it may be," she said.

Switzerland is the official depositary state for the Geneva Conventions, which regulate behaviour in wartime.

"We are very disappointed to see the failure of the peaceful means which could have helped disarm Iraq and end its violations of international law," Calmy-Rey said.

The Swiss foreign minister later reiterated that if a war were to break out without the backing of a UN resolution, Swiss neutrality would apply and aircraft taking part in the conflict would not be allowed through Swiss airspace.

She also told journalists that Switzerland had decided last month to close its borders to Saddam Hussein were he to seek exile "because he is guilty of human rights violations".

WAR.WIRE