Belgians want war stopped before Saddam goes: poll

BRUSSELS (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
Seventy percent of Belgians want the US-led war on Iraq stopped before the demise of Saddam Hussein, according to a poll published Friday.

Thirty-eight percent want an "immediate and unconditional end" to the conflict, which is at a crucial stage with the battle for Baghdad underway, said the poll in the daily Le Soir.

Only 30 percent of Belgians believe the war should be continued "until the overthrow of Saddam Hussein."

The poll also indicated that Belgians rate the United States not far behind Iraq in terms of popularity: 79 pecent gave Baghdad the thumbs down, followed by 71 percent against the US.

Belgians' most popular foreign country is France, disliked by only 20 percent of Belgians.

Belgium has been fiercely opposed to the war, joining France and Germany in plunging NATO into an unprecedented crisis in February over preparations for the conflict.

WAR.WIRE