There is a threat from Saddam Hussein and the weapons of mass destruction that he has acquired

Tony Blair

Their post-talks media conference came six months to the hour after the US terror attacks.

A possible second phase of the war against terrorism was on the agenda at the meeting, which comes before Mr Cheney embarks on a 10-day tour of the Middle-East.

Mr Blair said: "There is a threat from Saddam Hussein and the weapons of mass destruction that he has acquired. It is not in doubt at all."

Mr Blair said the coalition partners now needed to "reflect and deliberate" on how that problem should be addressed.

10-day mission

Mr Cheney and Mr Blair discussed the progress of the coalition formed in the wake of the US terror atrocities, as well as other issues such as US tariffs on steel imports.

Downing Street has said it has no evidence that Iraq was involved in the 11 September attacks.

Labour MPs are urging caution towards US "hawks"

But the UK prime minister, who underlined the importance of restarting the Middle East peace process, stressed the progress that had been made in Afghanistan against the Taleban and al-Qaeda network.

Mr Cheney said it was important to prevent the "potential marriage" between that network and states which had nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Mr Blair faces growing domestic disquiet over military action against Iraq - many Labour MPs are among the 70 who have signed a motion opposing action.

Labour MP Alice Mahon said Mr Blair should stop being the "little lapdog of America" and should steer away from a course that could start a third world war.

There is unease elsewhere in Europe about such action.

Richard Pearle, defence adviser to US President Bush, said he was disappointed that a number of America's friends in Europe were "nowhere to be seen" when US security was under threat.

Downing Street has published a document stressing that the war against international terrorism has a long way to run.

Coalition 'steadfast'

The 35-page document also says the war could include military action on targets other than Afghanistan.

It said: "There are many countries where adoption of terrorist methods or the presence of terrorist or extremist networks causes us grave concern.

"We will take action we deem necessary in support of this aim, including military action, if absolutely necessary."

Downing Street has dismissed reports that the US had requested 25,000 UK troops to join a possible 250,000-strong ground attack on Iraq, aimed at overthrowing President Saddam Hussein.

The US has threatened to remove Saddam Hussein by force

Labour chairman of the Commons' foreign affairs committee, Donald Anderson, called on the UK government to calm any "reckless" elements in the Pentagon who were "on a roll".

Appeal for clarity

The US has threatened action against Iraq even if it lets UN weapons inspectors - who would establish how many weapons of mass destruction it has accumulated - back into the country.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell said Mr Blair should make it clear that "military action is not the first option, but should only be considered when all other reasonable options have been excluded".

Mr Cheney also met Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, who voiced his support for US action.

Mr Duncan Smith added: "It is vital that the reasons for dealing with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction are clearly spelled out."

A new poll suggests most people in the UK would support US military action against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein.

Of 1,000 people surveyed by NOP for the Powerhouse programme on Channel 4, 54% supported such action, 35% were against and 11% were undecided.

Opinion was more divided over whether British troops should be involved - with 46% in favour and 43% against.