Baghdad set to approve U-2 surveillance flights

Iraq tonight approved the use of American U-2 spy planes over its territory and pledged to pass legislation next week outlawing the use of weapons of mass destruction, Baghdad’s ambassador to the UN said.

Earlier the UN nuclear agency chief said he expected Baghdad to approve U-2 surveillance flights later today – a key demand by inspectors searching for weapons of mass destruction.

“I think we are expecting today a response that we will be able to use the reconnaissance air craft,” said Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.