unmovic

United Nations inspectors monitoring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq have submitted a final report after the shutdown of their operations last year, nearly two decades after they first started work on the issue.

United States authorities have determined that the potentially hazardous substances removed from the New York office of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) last month pose no threat.

The United Nations body set up to monitor the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction today mourned the death of David Kelly, a key former staff member involved in the arms probe.

Hans Blix, the head of United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, concluded his term of office today, receiving expressions of “profound gratitude” from Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who voiced his admiration for Mr. Blix’s ability to handle the intense demands of his tasks.

Recent communications from Iraq were not a sign that Baghdad was reneging on agreements reached early this month in Vienna on the return of United Nations weapons inspector, the chief UN monitor said today.

The head of the United Nations Monitoring, Inspection and Verification Commission (UNMOVIC), which was set up in 1999 but has yet to operate in Iraq, has welcomed Baghdad's readiness to talk about future work in the country.