Tony Blair said today he was “confident” of securing agreement on a new United Nations resolution on Iraq as international weapons inspectors prepared for talks on returning to Baghdad.

US PRESIDENT George Bush wants United Nations weapons inspectors back in Iraq, but even their presence would not necessarily reassure America the threat posed by Saddam Hussein had been contained, US Secretary of State Colin Powell warned yesterday.

Iraqi opposition leaders were today planning to take part in a video conference call with US Vice President Dick Cheney following their discussions in Washington about the need for a new era of freedom in Iraq.