State Department issues warning

WASHINGTON -- All but essential U.S. diplomats, along with family members, are being advised to leave Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon as tensions with Iraq mount.

The State Department, in an advisory Friday, also cautioned private citizens to leave those countries and not to travel to Israel. Further, it urged Americans to leave Iraq and said it was closing the Polish office in Baghdad that provided consular service to Americans in the absence of U.S. relations with Iraq.

"The Iraq regime's continuing refusal to cooperate fully with U.N. weapons inspectors has led to mounting tension between Iraq and the international community," the department said.

It said foreigners in Iraq had been used in the past as "human shields," and there are credible reports they may be kidnapped.

Officials said the decision was made on the advice of American diplomats in the embassies and not because of a specific threat to U.S. personnel.

The State Department's action coincided with growing indications that President Bush may authorize the use of force against Iraq.