Pressure grows for UN inspection role in Iraq

UN inspection teams could yet play a key role in searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Chief United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix says that UN inspectors could assist coalition forces to search for weapons in Iraq.

Mr Blix told the BBC that although no weapons had been found it was "too early" to rule out their existence. However he admitted that he was a little more inclined to believe that they never had any weapons of mass destruction in the first place.

The question of the existence of such weapons, and the finds so far by US and British forces, were a clear indication that UN inspectors should return to Iraq to verify and examine any discoveries made.

Mr Blix said: "I think that the world would like to have a credible report on the absence or eradication of the programme of weapons of mass destruction."

As the focus shifts to a post-war reconstruction of the Iraq, diplomatic moves are intensifying. French President Jacques Chirac has said that it is up to the UN to decide when trade sanctions are lifted.

Elsewhere, three culture advisors to the US administration have resigned in protest at the failure of troops to do more to safeguard museums in Iraq that were looted after the fall of the regime.

(SP)