Iraq defiant on weapons checks

Iraq's foreign minister has ruled out the return of UN weapons inspectors to the country even if sanctions are removed.

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf said Iraq could allow less intrusive monitoring if 10-year-old sanctions were lifted immediately.

He added that Israel and other Middle East countries should be similarly monitored for proscribed weapons.

As he entered UN headquarters in New York for a meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, he said: "There will be no return for any inspectors in Iraq - even if sanctions are totally lifted".

He added that if there was a need for UN monitoring in Iraq it should be to fulfil a UN resolution that says Iraq's disarmament would help make the entire Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.