Britain boosts military presence in the Gulf

Britain is sending one of its most powerful warships to the Gulf.

A statement issued in London said the aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible, had been ordered from the Mediterranean to join naval and other units already in the Gulf region.

The British Defence Secretary, George Robertson, said that President Saddam Hussein's track record clearly demonstrated that he only showed respect for diplomacy when it was backed up by military strength and readiness.

The announcement came as a team of UN weapons inspectors left Baghdad early after finding its work blocked by the Iraqi authorities.

The team was repeatedly prevented from inspecting sites believed to be connected to Iraq's weapons programme.

Baghdad had complained that Mr Ritter's team included too many members from the United States and Britain -- two countries it considers hostile.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service