UN-Iraq talks end without progress

Iraq and the United Nations have not succeeded in resolving their differences over weapons inspections, after the visit to Baghdad by the UN's chief weapons inspector, Richard Butler.

Mr Butler said the cooperation he had hoped for to break the deadlock over access to suspected weapons sites had not been forthcoming.

The Iraqi deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, told a news conference that Mr Butler's requests for UN access to sensitive sites were aimed at espionage, not disarmament.

Mr Aziz called for the suspension of access to presidential palaces until a new round of technical evaluation talks ends in April -- a request which Mr Butler has already rejected.

Mr Aziz also accused the UN inspectors of lacking the professional expertise to communicate with their Iraqi counterparts.

Mr Butler has left Baghdad and will brief the UN Security Council on Friday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service