Washington: US intelligence officials fear that Saddam Hussein has drafted a "doomsday plan" to help al-Qaida attack the United States with biological weapons in the event of a US strike against Iraq, the 'New York Post' reported on September 16.

The threat has been raised in secret intelligence assessments provided to top military officials and White House policymakers as they prepare for war, according to the daily'Post'.

Officials told the newspaper they are considering such nightmare scenarios as concealed briefcase bio-bombs, which Saddam might provide to terrorists if attacked by the United States.

Officials fear that Saddam could provide al-Qaida or other terror groups with biological agents that could be smuggled into US and Israeli cities.

Such bio-weapons would be small, easy to conceal and extremely difficult for US customs of border control officials to detect, the newspaper wrote.

"This is what we are most concerned about and what we are working hardest on," one high-ranking official told the newspaper.

"You're talking vials, briefcase bombs or gallon jugs. You can even do it by sending an infected suicide terrorist," one defence official told the 'Post'.

US intelligence officials say however that for the moment there is no evidence that Saddam has given terrorists biological weapons.