Missile destruction must start by Saturday, says Blix

UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix yesterday said Iraq must begin destroying its Al-Samoud missiles by Saturday, rejecting Baghdad’s bid for more time to hold technical talks.

"We have set a date for the commencement of the destruction of these missiles and we expect that to be respected," Blix said.

Asked whether there would be any further negotiation with the Iraqis on the missiles' destruction, he responded: "I do not expect that. There will be a discussion about the pace in which the destruction will take place," he said.