U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says there is no imminent U.S. plan to start a war with any nation, including Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

The three nations were singled out last month by President Bush as an "axis of evil" and there has been widespread speculation that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein could be the next target in the U.S.-led war on terrorism.

Despite his "no war" assurances, Mr. Powell told the Senate Budget Committee there must be a change of government in Baghdad. He said President Bush is exploring options for dealing with Iraq. The Baghdad government has repeatedly been accused of developing weapons of mass destruction.

Last week, the president said he is sending Vice President Dick Cheney to the Middle East in March, as part of a diplomatic campaign for continued allied support in the war on terrorism.

In Tuesday's editions, the USA Today newspaper said Mr. Cheney, who was the Secretary of Defense during the Gulf War, was also expected to use his trip discuss efforts to oust the Baghdad government. But U.S. officials are quoted as saying no decision has been made about the timing or the scope of any such campaign.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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