Iraq has dismissed a statement by a United Nations weapons expert that it would need only a week to prepare a biological weapon which could be fired at Tel Aviv or Tehran.

The expert, David Kelly, said that in the absence of international monitoring, Iraq could quickly prepare a biological weapon.

He said Baghdad had the expertise, the knowledge and the weapons, albeit crude ones.

But the head of the Iraqi Monitoring Directorate, Hussam Mohammed Amin, said the allegation was groundless.

He accused Mr Kelly of taking part in a blackmail campaign against Iraq led by the United States.