The Iraqi authorities have blocked an American-led team of weapons inspectors from working for a second day.

The authorities say the group has too many members from the US and Britain - the two countries it accuses of seeking to perpetuate sanctions against Baghdad.

The UN's chief weapons inspector, Richard Butler, denounces the Iraqi decision (2'04")

Earlier a meeting of the UN Security Council was adjourned after its members failed to agree a joint response.

The United States and Britain had called for a tough stance, but Russia, China and France were understood to have expressed sympathy with Iraq's position.

The latest crisis began when Iraq blocked the inspection team led by Mr Ritter, who it has accused of being a American spy.

Iraq accuses Scott Ritter of being a CIA agent -- which is denied

An official statement from Baghdad said Iraq would not bow to threats and would continue to defend its sovereignty.

In return, the US has warned that if the Security Council fails to reach an agreement, it will not hesitate in acting alone.

The Chief UN Weapons Inspector, Richard Butler, has also announced plans to lead a team composed of Chinese, Italian and Canadian representatives to Iraq next week, to discuss unimpeded access to suspected weapons sites.

The Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Nazir Hamdoon, says the UN should end its inspections now (0'55")

In addition, a Chinese official said Beijing would, for the first time, nominate three weapons experts to join the UN team seeking to verify whether Iraq has destroyed all long-range missiles and mass destruction weapons.

"I will be accompanied again by three commissioners - one from China, one from Canada, one from Italy," Mr Butler said.

"It's very clear the issues we'll discuss in Baghdad will continue to be those of access to presidential and sovereign sites."

Richard Butler: "Iraq's actions are not acceptable to the Security Council"

The decision to take along officials of other nationalities appeared to be aimed at countering Iraqi claims that the UN inspection programme is being used by Washington to threaten Saddam Hussein's rule.

Last month, French and Russian officials attended talks with Mr Butler and the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz.

During the talks, Mr Aziz insisted that Iraq would never allow the inspectors to enter "presidential sites."

But Mr Butler said the UN would not bow to Iraqi demands to remove inspectors on the basis of nationality.

"That's not acceptable to us and I'm sure it won't be acceptable to the [Security] Council."

Clinton condemns Iraq

Clinton: "It is a clear and serious violation" (0'11'')

President Clinton has condemned the decision by Iraq to block the weapons inspections.

He said any attempt by the Iraqis to impede the work of the teams would represent a clear violation of United Nations resolutions.

President Clinton said that, if the Iraqis went through with their threat, he expected the UN to take "strong and appropriate action."

"The United States has not attempted to influence the composition of the people on the teams, but certainly Saddam Hussein shouldn't be able to pick and choose who does this work," he said.

The Clinton administration continues to insist that no options in dealing with Iraq have been ruled out.

But the United States is struggling within the permanent membership of the UN Security Council to maintain a united front on how best to keep up the pressure on Iraq.

Britain criticises Iraq

BBC UN Correspondent Rob Watson: "Security Council hopelessly divided" (1'12'')

Iraq's decision has escalated the crisis after weeks of deadlock over the UN's insistence on having access to presidential palaces.

The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, said: "Once again Saddam Hussein is defying the will of the international community."

"It is for the Executive Chairman of Unscom, not Iraq, to dictate the composition of the inspection teams.

"The present round of inspection is being carried out by 44 personnel from 17 countries. Iraqi claims of bias are clearly false."

France has called on Iraq to think again. Russia, which successfully brokered a way out of the last crisis in November, says it is taking steps to ease the tension.

Iraqi newspapers have called on France, Russia and China to prevent Washington from launching a military attack.

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