The legality of war against Iraq

The leader of the federal opposition, Simon Crean, asked the Gilbert + Tobin Centre to provide an opinion on the legality under international law of the use of force by Australia against Iraq in the absence of a further Security Council resolution. The centre concluded that military force can only be used against Iraq where (1) it has been authorised by a further Security Council resolution; or (2) there is evidence to suggest that Iraq is planning an imminent attack on Australia, or on another State requesting Australia\u27s aid, such that the use of force by Australia would be an act of individual or collective self-defence. There is also the possibility under international law that force might be used under the emerging principle of humanitarian intervention. On current information, none of the above grounds is satisfied