United Arab Emirates President Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has asked Saddam Hussein to step down.

Even though many Arab leaders have informally explored that option with the Iraqi leadership in the weeks leading to this week's Arab League summit, the octogenarian UAE ruler is the first to make such a public call.

The Sheik dangled the promise of immunity from prosecution if Saddam gave up power. President George W Bush has indicated that Saddam would be tried as a war criminal for his brutal campaigns against the Kurds and other elements of the Iraqi population.

The UAE is seen as an ally of the United States in a region sharply polarised by the prospect of war against Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iraq destroyed four Al Samoud missiles on Saturday. The missiles were destroyed in an area 20 miles north of Baghdad. Iraqi officials are also negotiating a timetable to end its missile programme with the United Nations.

Sheik Zayed did not attend the Arab League meeting, but sent a letter emphasising his proposal. 'The Iraqi leadership should step down and leave Iraq within two weeks,' he wrote, adding that Iraq would be governed by the Arab League and United Nations until a new government was formed.

The Arab League is split into three camps with some of Iraq's neighbours like Kuwait advocating war. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's most influential powers, want Saddam to cooperate with the UN and avoid conflict. They believe they can persuade the US to call off its plans for battle if the Iraqis abandon their weapons programme. Hawks like Syria wants the Arab League to issue a communiqué denouncing the prospect of war.

The 22-member Arab League includes Iraq and will issue a statement when the summit ends on Saturday. It may depute a delegation to meet with the Iraqi leadership and apprise them of its deliberations.