THE chief UN nuclear inspector said yesterday that world powers now opposed to using force against Iraq could change their minds if Baghdad doesn't show more willingness to reveal evidence of weapons programmes.

SADDAM HUSSEIN banned nuclear, chemical and biological weapons yesterday, meeting a long-time UN demand even as top weapons inspectors told the Security Council they have found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

UNITED NATIONS weapons inspectors yesterday issued a grim warning to Saddam Hussein that there must be a “drastic” change in his conduct if he is to avoid a war.

IRAQ has left large gaps in its arms declaration; is blocking private interviews with scientists, and is balking at U-2 surveillance flights over the whole country, UN weapons inspectors are expected to say today.

AS the world waits for UN weapons inspectors to report to the Security Council today, the United States said it was willing to go it alone to topple Saddam Hussein.

UN inspectors met Iraqi officials yesterday as they prepared to resume the search for weapons of mass destruction, a mission that could determine whether the Mideast is plunged into a new war.

UN weapons inspectors insisted on the right to roam freely around Saddam Hussein’s palaces and other suspect sites as they opened talks yesterday with the Iraqis on logistics for a possible return to Baghdad.