Weapons inspectors to return to Iraq

Iraq has accepted a tough new UN resolution that will return weapons inspectors to the country after nearly four years.

The acceptance letter was being delivered today to Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s office by Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, Arab diplomat said.

“It’s a long letter – but the short answer is that they accept,” said the diplomat.

Annan was in the Washington today to deliver a speech and meet President Bush, who has repeatedly threatened Iraq with a US led war if it fails to comply with inspectors.

The secretary-general yesterday dismissed a vote by Iraq’s parliament opposing the tough new resolution and expressed hope that the government would accept the resolution adopted unanimously last Friday by the Security Council.