The United Nations has rejected suggestions that its sanctions against Iraq include a ban on the import of pencils.

The denial came shortly after the arrival in Iraq of millions of pencils donated by Jordanians as part of a campaign against the economic embargo.

UN spokesman in Baghdad George Somerwill said pencils had been coming in plentiful quantities, and he was unaware of any ban on them.

The delivery of over three million pencils in a convoy of vehicles was organised by a non-government group in Jordan, which said it had received overwhelming popular support for the move.

It was hailed as part of a sanctions-busting campaign.

Traditional ties

Jordanians have traditionally close ties with the Iraqi people and some are impatient with Arab leaders for supporting the UN economic embargo.

On Sunday, about 100 vehicles accompanied a delegation to the Iraqi border. The two trucks carrying the pencils crossed to Baghdad later in the day.

The National Mobilisation Committee for the Defence of Iraq organised the drive to mobilise public pressure against the UN embargo.

A spokeswoman said the group chose pencils because they are prohibited under the sanctions imposed to punish Iraq for invading Kuwait nearly ten years ago.

'Military applications' of pencils

The United Nations did turn down an order for pencils shortly after Iraq accepted a deal allowing it to use oil revenues for humanitarian goods.

Reports at the time said there was a fear the lead could be used for military purposes, but UN officials now say the order was rejected because it asked for an outrageously large amount that was impractical to deliver.

In fact, pencils are currently coming into the country as part of education kits, but the Jordanian supply is technically illegal, because activists didn't ask for UN permission.