Inspectors back in Iraq as allies strike air defences

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.

Their arrival in Baghdad after a four-year absence came as allied warplanes bombed Iraqi defence systems in the northern no-fly zone after being fired upon during routine patrols, the US military said. Iraq considers such patrols a violation of its sovereignty and frequently shoots at them.

At the White House, spokesman Scott McClellan said Monday the Iraqi anti-aircraft fire "appears to be a violation" of the UN resolution that sent the inspectors back to Iraq, but declined to say if Washington would seek Security Council action as allowed under the guidelines.