Special Sub-Topic: Iraq War - Build-Up (UK perspective) Click Here To Play: Iraq War - Build-Up (UK perspective)

When George W Bush first highlighted his concerns over Iraq, which two other countries did he name in his famous 'Axis of Evil' speech as being a threat to world security?

Iran and North Korea. North Korea already had an open nuclear weapons program.

As the world divided into two main camps over the issue of war with Iraq, which of the following pro-war nations didn't have a seat on the UN Security Council and thus couldn't have voted on Resolution 1441?

Italy. Although Italy's Silvio Berlusconi was in strongly in favour of war he hadn't committed any troops and it was up to the leaders of Spain, Britain and America to meet up in a Portuguese island to discuss pushing for war without a UN resolution.

Although America and Britain provided the vast majority of troops for the war with Iraq, Australia and one Continental European country also made a 'small' contribution (at that stage) to the Coalition forces. Which country was it?

Poland. Poland's initial contribution was a contingent of about 2,000 men. The Coalition forces were over 250,000 people strong at the start of the war on 19 March 2003. Later, many other countries, including Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and the Ukraine contributed forces.

On what date did two million people gather in London to protest against the war?

15th Febuary 2003. The event was organised by the 'Stop the War Coalition' and was Britain's largest EVER protest or demonstration. Once war had started another national mass demonstration in London only attracted half a million people.

Which Labour MP told the press that they would resign from their cabinet position if the UK went to war without UN backing?

Claire Short. A few days before war was declared Claire Short told the nation that she would resign from her cabinet position as International Development Secretary if the UK followed the US in a war on Iraq not supported by the UN resolution. However she changed her mind and stayed in her post just before the war started. Robin Cook actually resigned, but didn't state this intention to the media beforehand. Margaret Beckett was strongly in favour of military action. David Hinchcliffe was an anti-war MP, but does not hold a cabinet position and did never threaten to resign.

Which British newspaper characterized French President Chirac as 'Le Worm' in disgust at France's anti-war stance?

The Sun. The "Sun" was strongly pro-war and attacked the French on many occasions to the extent that the paper received complaints from French people, particually after they printed an anti-Chirac paper in French and distributed it widely in France.

The head of the UN weapons inspection team was Hans Blix. Which country is he from?

Sweden. Hans Blix was plucked out of retirement in 2000 by Kofi Annan to head the UN inspections team. He is a former lawyer and has written several books on international law.

One of the main organisers of 'Stop the War Coalition' was a woman named Lindsey German, who was also the editor of which left-wing publication. Which of these was it?

Socialist Review. Lindsey German was a leading member of the Socialist Alliance, who were formed in 2000 to offer a "hard-left" alternative to New Labour.

Which British newspaper was consistently opposed to war on Iraq?

The Daily Mirror. The "Mirror" still opposed to war after it had started and managed to get hundreds of thousands of people to sign its anti-war petition.

Although the inspection team failed to find a 'smoking gun' they did however find that Saddam had a small arsenal of weapons he was banned from having. As a result he was forced to destroy some of these weapons a week before the war actually started. What weapons were they?

Al-Samoud missiles. These were illegal as the missile range of these weapons exceeded the range Saddam was allowed to have for his missiles.