IRAQ SEEKS RUSSIAN HELP AGAINST U.S. STRIKES

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- The regime of President Saddam Hussein is seekingRussian help in facing the prospect of an escalation in U.S. and British airstrikes on Iraqi military facilities. Arab diplomatic sources said Iraq has consulted with Russia in theaftermath of Friday's air strike by British and U.S. warplanes. The sourcessaid Iraq has asked Moscow for ways to protect both civilian and militaryfacilities from allied air attacks.