Journalists visit Saddam's palaces

Journalists were shown where the Iraqi leader holds court

The authorities in Iraq have taken foreign and local journalists to visit presidential sites in the capital, Baghdad.

The question of access to these sites for UN weapons inspectors has become a key sticking point in relations between Iraq and the international community.

Iraq has said the sites are off-limits to the weapons inspectors.

"You are guests," said Tariz Aziz

The unscheduled trip for journalists was announced by the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz.

Mr Aziz said: " We would like you to see these palaces about which a lot of mysteries have been fabricated so that you can see for yourselves that these are normal presidential sites."

He said that the journalists would be allowed to see what was inside the compounds.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council met to decide how to pressure Baghdad into allowing inspectors access to all suspected weapons sites, including presidential palaces.

Jouralists were allowed free access to rooms

The council heard a report from the chief UN weapons inspector, Richard Butler, about his latest visit to Iraq, during which he was unable to persuade the Iraqis to change their minds.

After the meeting, the US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, demanded unconditional access to all sites.

But the Russian ambassador, Sergei Lavrov, indicated that the Council was divided. He said there was a contradiction between respect for Iraqi sovereignty and the inspectors' right to enter all sites.

The Security Council appears no more prepared to authorise serious action against Iraq than it was last month, when the situation was even more tense.

The United States and Britain favour a tough approach, while the Russians, French and Chinese are more ready to compromise with Iraq.

Last month, Iraq told American members of UN teams to leave, and the UN pulled out all its inspectors.

After mediation by Russia, Iraq eventually allowed the Americans back.