Iraqi scientist gives 'key information'

UN inspectors visited three sites on Friday

UN weapons inspectors have said a key Iraqi scientist has given them details of a military programme that could be a "possible prelude to a clandestine nuclear programme".

UN spokesman Hiro Ueki said the information was obtained when International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors interviewed a "metallurgist from a high visibility state company".

General Amin says Iraq sees no need for scientists to leave for interviews

In his daily report on inspections, Mr Ueki said that the scientist "provided technical details of a military programme".

The scientist in question has denied he gave such information.

Earlier, the UN had suggested that inspectors were also preparing to question the scientist for the first time outside the country. However, Mr Ueki later told the BBC that this had been delayed.

On Friday, UN inspectors visited three sites in Iraq, including a brewery, in search of weapons of mass destruction.

Baghdad has continued to insist that it has no programme to develop banned nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Ready for action

The United States insisted on Friday that Iraq was still in breach of the UN Security Council resolution demanding Iraq give up its weapons.

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"We still have not seen the evidence that Iraq is willing to change, and... to comply with all the aspects of the UN resolution which seeks disarmament," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

In anticipation of possible military action the Pentagon has ordered two more aircraft carriers and two amphibious assault vessels to be prepared to sail towards Iraq.

If the order to sail is given, the USS George Washington battle group would be sent from the Atlantic fleets and either the USS Kitty Hawk or USS Abraham Lincoln battle group from the Pacific fleets.

'Possible prelude'

The UN inspectors have not identified the scientist they interviewed.

But he identified himself as Dr Kazem Mijbil, who worked at the al-Raya plant that produced aluminium for use in the manufacture short-range rockets.

Dr Mijbil rejected the UN's claim that he had provided information about weapons programmes.

"I have nothing to do with any programmes... I'm a metallurgist working on restoring aluminium tubes," he told Iraqi television.

Dr Mijbil was only the second Iraqi expert interviewed by the inspectors. The first one declined to be questioned in private and insisted on an Iraqi witness.

UN attempts to begin questioning Iraqi scientists outside Iraq - in accordance with the Security Council resolution - appear to have run into difficulty.

Mr Ueki has said details of what has caused the delay will be given at a press conference on Saturday.

Our correspondent says Baghdad fiercely opposes such moves, despite strong pressure from the US.

On Thursday, Iraq's chief liaison officer with the UN inspectors, General Hossam Mohammad Amin, said the teams had visited 188 sites but had found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile - as both sides continue to prepare for a possible conflict - the head of the UN's refugee agency told the BBC that the international community should do everything to prevent a war.

The Iraqi Government has already begun helping its citizens stockpile food in case of a US-led attack and Washington is continuing its military build-up in the area.