Blix: Inspections working, inspectors need months
'The United Nations chief weapons inspector insisted early today that Iraq needed "months" to give up its weapons but the United States President says he does not need the UN's permission to launch a war against Iraq. Dr Hans Blix told the 15-member UN Security Council in New York that Dr Blix said inspectors had recently provided "active, even pro-active" co-operation, and that this may well be due to "strong outside pressure".

'He claimed significant progress had been made since inspections resumed in December, saying: "We are not watching the destruction of toothpicks. Lethal weapons are being destroyed." Dr Blix said a stocktake of Iraqi weapons would lead to a timetable for their destruction and said Saddam Hussein should be the chance to comply with any demands.'

Blix: Inspections working, inspectors need months
'The United Nations chief weapons inspector insisted early today that Iraq needed "months" to give up its weapons but the United States President says he does not need the UN's permission to launch a war against Iraq. Dr Hans Blix told the 15-member UN Security Council in New York that Dr Blix said inspectors had recently provided "active, even pro-active" co-operation, and that this may well be due to "strong outside pressure".

'He claimed significant progress had been made since inspections resumed in December, saying: "We are not watching the destruction of toothpicks. Lethal weapons are being destroyed." Dr Blix said a stocktake of Iraqi weapons would lead to a timetable for their destruction and said Saddam Hussein should be the chance to comply with any demands.'