North Korea finalising launch preparations

North Korea is preparing a rocket to blast off as early as today, officials said, readying what it describes as a satellite launch but is widely regarded as a disguised long-range missile test.

US President Barack Obama said the international community would take action if North Korea went ahead with the launch to show Pyongyang, which tested a nuclear device in 2006, it could not act with impunity.

"We will work with all interested partners in the international community to take appropriate steps to let North Korea know that they cannot threaten the safety and stability of other countries with impunity," Mr Obama told a news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Strasbourg, France.

While Washington urged Pyongyang to reconsider its plan to fire off a rocket between today and Wednesday, a US envoy suggested it may be a foregone conclusion and said he hoped to bring the North back to talks on ending its nuclear programmes.