WE must not rush into judgement over the discovery of empty chemical warheads in Iraq.

They fall some way short of proving beyond reasonable doubt that Saddam Hussein poses a substantial threat to international peace and security.

They show Saddam and his brutal regime to be conniving and untrustworthy, but the rest of the world knew that long before the UN inspectors flew into Baghdad.

On their own, these warheads do not constitute justification to go to war against Iraq. But together with any further discoveries the UN team may make, they may make part of a sound case for military action.

The UN inspectors must be allowed to continue their searches, and be given sufficient time to see if such a sound case exists.

There is no need for precipitant action. At present Saddam is not in much of a position to pose a threat.

Diplomatically, he is isolated both in the Middle East and the world at large. And with UN weapons inspectors extending their role in Iraq by the day, he is not best placed to launch any kind of offensive.

If he does, he knows full well that the military might of US and British forces is massing just over his borders and is ready to pounce.

Yesterday's discovery indicates that the presence of the UN in Iraq is not just a diplomatic sideshow being exploited by Saddam merely to buy him time.

The weapons inspectors have the potential to accurately assess the capability of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. and provide the evidence on which, in the fullness of time, the UN can determine the international community's next course of action.

The UN still represents the most potent force to contain Saddam while, at the same time, holding together the fragile international coalition against the menace of rogue states.

The discovery of the warheads highlights the importance of sticking with the UN route for as long as possible, and shows why George Bush and Tony Blair must resist the temptation to take unilateral action.