UN tells Iraq to start destroying missiles

1.15pm

UNITED NATIONS - Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix has demanded that Iraq begin destroying its liquid-fuel Al Samoud 2 missiles, engines and numerous component parts.

Blix made the request in a letter to Iraq, which was not immediately released. The missiles exceed by 33km the 150km range set by the UN Security Council in a 1991 resolution.

Destruction of the missiles would be a blow to Iraq when its military is preparing for a possible invasion by US forces. But if it does not destroy them the United States would use this as proof that Iraq is not cooperating with the United Nations and war is justified.

Herald feature: Iraq