US losing patience as divisions continue

THE much-awaited UN weapons inspectors’ report on Iraq threw into high relief the divisions between major powers on whether and when to launch a war against Baghdad over its suspected banned weapons.

Foreign ministers and diplomats from the 15 Security Council members responded to the inconclusive report by Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei with robust defences of their positions for or against quick military action.

The United States and Britain reiterated their demands that pressure must be maintained on President Saddam Hussein, including the threat of war, while France, China and Russia led the drive to allow inspectors more time.