Washington ? President Bush on Wednesday signed a congressional resolution authorizing war against Iraq, and told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Israel has a right to retaliate if Saddam Hussein strikes his nation without provocation.

“If Iraq attacks Israel tomorrow, I would assume the prime minister would respond,” Bush said in remarks that created confusion about his expectations for Israel if America goes to war. “He’s got a desire to defend himself.”

In an East Room ceremony to sign the war-making resolution, Bush also said it’s time to “fully and finally” disarm Iraq and remove Saddam from power.

Flanked by Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush signed the resolution giving him power to use force against Saddam, if necessary.

The vote was 296-133 in the House and 77-23 in the Senate for the measure allowing Bush to take action against Iraq regardless of sentiments at the United Nations. Bush has threatened to build a coalition of allies outside the United Nations to confront Saddam.

“The time has arrived once again for the United Nations to live up to the purposes of its founding: to protect our common security,” Bush said. “The time has arrived once again for free nations to face up to our global responsibilities and confront a gathering danger.”

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan backed a new U.N. resolution that would toughen weapons inspections and urged Baghdad to use this “last chance.” But leaders from 130 mainly developing countries demanded a peaceful settlement of the U.N. dispute with Iraq.

South Africa’s U.N. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, whose country chairs the movement, urged the council to “seize the possibility of a peaceful solution.”

As if in reply, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told military experts in Washington that the United States can’t “be hamstrung by the waverings of the weak.”

The United States and Britain want a single resolution authorizing military force if Iraq does not comply with weapons inspectors.

China, France and Russia all veto-holding members of the U.N. Security Council say Iraq must be given a chance to cooperate with inspectors before military action is approved.

White House officials said Bush was open to compromise, and still hoped a resolution would emerge.

“I’m a patient man,” Bush said.

Izzat Ibrahim, vice chairman of Revolutionary Command Council and Saddam’s No. 2 man, said: “We hope there will be no new resolution, and if there is, we will deal with it then.”