The United States would like to see West Asia free of weapons of mass destruction, Secretary of State Colin Powell told a news conference on Tuesday, in response to questions on whether Washington is willing to apply equal standards to Syria and Israel.

On Monday, Powell threatened economic and diplomatic measures against Syria if it does not meet a range of demands, including abandoning a chemical weapons programme.

Syria denies having such a programme and has offered to open its facilities to UN inspections as part of a regional disarmament campaign that includes Israel.

"We hope that Syria understands now that there is a new environment in the region with the end of the regime of (Iraqi leader) Saddam Hussein, and that Syria will reconsider its policies of past years and understand that there are better choices it can make," Powell said.

Pressed on inspection of the weapons programs of US ally Israel, which is believed to have some 200 nuclear warheads outside any international inspection system, he said that 'pieces will begin to fall in place' after peace between Israel, Syria and Lebanon.

"If we can move forward with a comprehensive peace process that leads to a comprehensive solution that creates a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with a Jewish state, Israel, and ultimately have that comprehensive solution reach out and touch Lebanon and Syria, then I think a lot of pieces will begin to fall in place with respect to what people's various needs are," he said.

"But right now we will just continue to say that we believe that the entire region should be free of weapons of mass destruction," he added.

Powell said he hoped that the Palestinian legislature would confirm prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas 'some time in the next week or so' so that the US can publish a peace plan.

The Israelis and the Palestinians would then have a chance to comment on the peace plan and discuss those comments with each other, he added.

"This is going to be a very difficult process, but I believe progress can be made if both sides enter this road map process with an understanding of the needs of the other side and with a good faith effort to use the new situation," he said.

"We have a new opportunity, an opportunity I think that is enhanced by what has happened by the removal of the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein," he added.

An Israeli delegation gave the US its preliminary comments on the peace plan on Monday, after reports that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is seeking some amendments to the document.

US officials have said the plan is for implementation in its existing form, but Powell did not say that on Tuesday.