Edwards forces Cheney on defensive over Iraq

Vice president Dick Cheney insisted Saddam Hussein had close links with terrorists as he clashed with rival John Edwards over foreign policy in their election debate.

The televised confrontation was the only time Republican Mr Cheney and Democrat Mr Edwards will come face to face before next month's presidential election.

Mr Cheney was forced on the defensive over Iraq after yesterday's comments by his colleague, defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who said he had not seen any evidence that Saddam was linked to al Qaeda.

Challenged by Mr Edwards in last night night's debate, Mr Cheney insisted Saddam's regime had "clearly an established track record with terror". He added: "The world is far safer today because Saddam is in in jail." Mr Edwards accused the White House of "not being straight" over the "mess" in Iraq.

The men are known to dislike each other and the debate in Cleveland, Ohio, was conducted in a frosty atmosphere. Mr Edwards attacked his rival's links to the Halliburton corporation, which won contracts worth billions of dollars to rebuild Iraq without having to bid for them.

Mr Cheney, who was Halliburton chief executive until 2000, says he has severed links with the firm.