The BBC's Jeremy Bowen: Iraq claims it has been a victim of Western aggression

At a news conference in Baghdad, he accused the British and American governments of breaking international law with "criminal aggression", and said he believed the US and UK might relaunch air strikes after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

And with the international community seriously divided on policy towards Iraq, he said the inspection process had ended when London and Washington began the air strikes

"The moment America and Britain launched missiles against Iraq they killed Unscom," he said

Tariq Aziz: "Civilian casualties are much, much higher than military casualties"

He also gave the first details of military casualties from the American-led strikes, saying 62 military personnel had been killed and 180 wounded.

Divisions on Security Council

The Security Council held its first meeting since the air strikes. It issued a brief statement saying it was "in the process of assessing its approach to the Iraq question" and that it would meet again on Tuesday.

The United States and Britain are expecting a fierce war of words with the other three permanent members of the Security Council - France, China and Russia - all of whom were opposed to Operation Desert Fox.

Rob Watson in New York: The focus now returns to diplomacy

Following Baghdad's refusal to allow the return of Unscom weapon's inspectors, the Security Council is debating how the monitoring of Iraq's weapons systems can go ahead.

Call for end of Unscom

The French Government, in an initiative supported by Germany, has called for the UN weapons inspection body to be replaced.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said a new body could ensure Iraq did not become a danger in the future in return for the lifting of the oil embargo.

And with the UN preparing to resume humanitarian operations in Iraq in the next few days, the United Kingdom and Germany have announced the launch of a new European Union aid initiative for Iraq.

Speaking after meeting German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in London, UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said they wanted new ways of helping the Iraqi people.

Mr Fischer said this could involve a conference of aid agencies and governments, adding that conditions must be created to avoid further military action.

Diplomatic differences

BBC Diplomatic Correspondent, Barnaby Mason, says that given the international divisions on Iraq the way ahead is still exceptionally unclear.

Rageh Omaar in Baghdad: "Inspectors will absolutely not be allowed back"

Robin Cook is continuing contacts with his counterparts in the European Union and governments in the Middle East to try to repair the diplomatic damage done by the air strikes and seeking to forge "a new strategy for stability in relations between the international community and Iraq".

US Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk said: "We will be taking the initiative in the Security Council and in consultation with other members in the Council."

Rageh Omaar: "The Iraqi Government continues to spit defiance"

However, Russian President Boris Yeltsin has called for serious conclusions to be drawn from what he said was "the illegal and senseless" use of force.

China said the Iraq question must be resolved through political means and not "unilateral" military action.

Although French politicians of all parties have deplored the attacks, the government stopped short of condemning them and Mr Vedrine has said that steps have to be taken to ensure that Iraq did not become a danger in the future.

UN aid resumes

The BBC's Rageh Omaar: Baghdad returns to life as usual

UN aid workers are being sent back to Baghdad within the next few days as the oil-for-food programme resumes.