Russia has demanded a debate at the United Nations Security Council later today over the nomination of a Swedish diplomat to head a new UN weapons inspection regime in Iraq.

The nomination of Rolf Ekeus -- who led a previous weapons monitoring agency -- was made by the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on Monday.

But Russia said it opposed the move.

It's UN ambassador Sergei Lavrov spoke of the need for a new beginning.

Iraq itself has strongly objected to the recommendation. The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, described the nomination as putting old wine in new bottles. Baghdad resented the activities of the old UN commission from the time Mr Ekeus was appointed after the 1991 Gulf War.

It ended its co-operation with the commission in December 1998, accusing its members of spying.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service