Chief UN weapons inspector has first talks in Baghdad

The chief United Nations weapons inspector, Richard Butler, on his latest visit to Baghdad, has had a first round of talks with Iraqi officials.

Before the meeting, Mr Butler spoke of a defining moment in the dispute between the UN and Iraq over the weapons inspections.

He said he would be seeking clarification of President Saddam Hussein's demand that the inspections end by June.

Mr Butler said it was only by full cooperation that Iraq could get nearer to having UN sanctions lifted.

His visit follows growing tension between the UN and Iraq, culminating in Iraq's refusal to work with one inspection team staffed largely by Americans.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service