The United Nations says it has evidence suggesting Iraq may still be hiding forbidden weapons at so called presidential sites. But after showing a group of journalists around a number of such sites including president Saddam Hussein's main residence in Baghdad, Iraq has insisted that the UN's weapons inspectors will never be given access. In New York the UN Security Council is still deadlocked over how to respond to the continuing stand off. BBC UN correspondent Rob Watson reports:

The lines of confrontation between the UN and Iraq are more sharply drawn than ever. Baghdad says there are no more weapons and that the UN will never be allowed into sites considered vital for the country's sovereignty and dignity.

But the Chief weapons inspector, Richard Butler, says while the UN can't be certain it does have evidence or reason to believe that Iraq may still be concealing weapons at so called presidential sites. He said refusal to allow access will only increase the suspicion that Iraq has something to hide.

As before though the Security Council is divided over how to respond. While the United States and Britain believe Iraq must allow unconditional access, the other big three powers; Russia, France and China take a softer approach.