Iraq has decided to ban the latest American-led United Nations weapons inspections team from operating in the country.

The Iraqi news agency said the team would not be allowed to function until the American team-leader, Scott Ritter, was removed.

The new Iraqi move has bought the simmering crisis to the boil once again, after weeks of deadlock over the UN's insistence on having access to presidential palaces and other sites which the Iraqis deem off-limits.

'Too many Americans'

The report by the agency came after Mr Ritter and a team of UN inspectors made a visit to Iraqi Government buildings near the headquarters of the UN Special Commission, which is responsible for the weapons inspection program.

Last November Bagdhad accused Mr Ritter of spying for American intelligence

It quoted the government spokesman as saying Mr Ritter's team included too many Americans and Britons, adding the team will not be allowed to carry out inspections unless it is recomposed in a balanced manner.

The official said the team included nine Americans, five Britons, a Russian and an Australian.

"This shows striking evidence of the imbalance in the composition of the team and its methods of action in Iraq," the spokesman said.

Iraq has 'no say'

During the crisis, which erupted in November over the American role in arms inspections, Baghdad singled out Mr Ritter. They accused him of acting as an agent for American intelligence, and of staging provocations.

Washington and the United Nations insist that Iraq has no say over who is included in the inspection teams.

The chief of the inspections operation, Richard Butler, who is expected back in Baghdad within the week, has defended the teams. He said they include the experts best qualified for the job.

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