Iraq: UN inspectors to meet government officials before departing Baghdad tomorrow

Senior United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq preparing for the resumption of an international arms probe in the country are scheduled to meet with government officials today before leaving Baghdad tomorrow.

The Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, Hans Blix, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohammed ElBaradei, already met today with the diplomatic corps and representatives of UN agencies in Baghdad.

They are expected to have a second meeting with Iraqi officials in the evening to conclude discussions on the resumption of inspections, according to a UN spokesman travelling with the team.