UN team searches Baghdad factory

UN WEAPONS inspectors visited a factory that once made parts for now-banned missiles yesterday as Iraq came under renewed criticism for its human rights record.

On the fifth day of the renewed search for weapons of mass destruction under a tough UN mandate that Saddam Hussein divest himself of illicit weaponry or face "serious consequences", the inspection team went to a Baghdad factory that made guidance and control systems for Iraq's "stretch Scuds".

Iraq modified Soviet-made Scuds to longer range and used them in the Gulf War. Such long-range missiles 400 miles are now prohibited for Iraq, and the inspectors wanted to ensure that work has not resumed.