Iraq to attend UN talks

Iraq has confirmed it will attend talks next week with the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, despite last week's air raids on Baghdad by American and British warplanes.

Mr Annan described the timing of the raids as awkward for the talks, but stressed he hadn't been consulted or informed in advance about the air attacks.

The talks between Mr Annan and Iraq are due to focus on the linked issues of UN sanctions against Iraq and the resumption of UN weapons inspections. Earlier, British officials said they and the United States were considering whether UN sanctions could be targetted more directly at the Iraqi leadership and armed forces, and less obviously at ordinary Iraqis.

Baghdad has denounced these proposals.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service