China investigates US allegations over Iraq

China says it's willing to conduct an internal investigation into American allegations that Chinese technicians have been helping to upgrade Iraq's air defences.

The Chinese foreign ministry said China was committed to observing United Nations sanctions against Iraq and would remedy the situation if Washington's complaints were found to be justified.

Last week, China denied the US allegations that it was helping Iraq construct a fibre optic network that improved its ability to target US and British planes.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, has said his country will not accept the return of United Nations weapons inspectors, even if sanctions against Baghdad are lifted.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service