[Vance]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has rejected U.S. President George W. Bush's ultimatum that he and his sons leave Iraq or face military action.

The statement from the Revolutionary Command Council was broadcast on Iraqi television on Tuesday, hours after President Bush ordered the Iraqi leader to leave his country within 48 hours or face war.

The statement said the Iraqi regime "denounced the reckless ultimatum directed by American President George Bush," and said the nation was ready to confront a U.S.-led attack.

By asking Saddam and his sons to leave the country, Bush "had the sick hope that he will achieve his evil objectives without fighting through his announcement," which had an air of "isolation and defeat," the council's statement said.

Bush's ultimatum also drew mixed reaction from international leaders around the globe.

Responding to Bush's ultimatum, French President Jacques Chirac said the United States carried a "heavy responsibility."

"This unilateral decision is contrary to the wishes of the (U.N.) Security Council and the international community which wants to pursue disarmament," said Chirac in a statement.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made a televised speech saying whatever the threat posed by Iraq, it did not justify the deaths of innocent men, women and children who would be killed in a conflict.

In a short, stern statement lasting only about a minute, he said war was not justified and that the inspections should have continued.

In other reaction to Bush's speech from around the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "You know the position of the Russian leadership, we have stood for resolving problems around Iraq exclusively through political means.

"Our position has not changed. I am convinced that any other solution would be a mistake. It would be a mistake which could lead not only to human loss and suffering, which we should not allow, but it would greatly destabilize the world situation on the whole."

Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday night, in a speech broadcast after Bush's announcement: "The world lives in times of great importance following the latest developments over Iraq.

"Mexico reiterates its support for the multilateral route to solve conflicts and regrets the path to war.

"The world has to continue pushing solutions that comply with the letter and spirit of the United Nations charter, which establishes that the use of force should always be the last recourse and only in exceptional circumstances, justified only when all other methods have failed."

At a news conference at close of China's parliament session Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao said: "With regard to the situation in Iraq, the arrow has already been placed on the bow, it's a touch and go situation.

"However, so long as there is a gleam of hope we will not give up our efforts to a peaceful and political settlement.

"China holds the view that the Iraqi government should strictly and effectively abide by relevant U.N. resolutions ... [and] should be active in cooperating with the U.N. agencies to make the work of inspectors a success and to destroy all weapons of mass destruction."

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Tuesday: "We are not in favor of the use of force, we think the U.N. Resolution [1441] should be implemented while handling this case and also taking into account the views of people all over the world."

Those countries lining up behind the U.S. position include Japan. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said: "We totally support President Bush if he takes military action. We take this position because we place primary importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance and international cooperation."

Nearly 80 percent of the Japanese people are not in favor of a war in Iraq, without U.N. approval. (Full Story)

The Australian government has agreed to commit troops to military action against Iraq after a formal request for support from President Bush. (Full story)

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