| Spotlight shifts to Iraq's weapons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2933923.stm
As the regime in Baghdad crumbles, the spotlight is turning once again to the search for Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction - on whose existence Washington based its case for an invasion.
In a presentation before the war, the US tried to prove Iraq still had banned weapons
There have been no known attempts by Saddam Hussein's forces to use chemical, biological or nuclear weapons against coalition forces during this invasion.
However, the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says he has no doubt they will be found.
Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said any suspected weapons finds by the UK or the US should be verified by UN inspectors "to generate the required credibility".
'No doubt'
Facing questions in parliament, Mr Blair said it was not surprising that no banned weapons had yet been found, only three weeks after US and British forces invaded Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
But he added: "I have no doubt at all that these weapons of mass destruction exist... The truth is there has been a six-month campaign of concealment."
It was important for the world to have any banned weapons finds "objectively verified", perhaps by United Nations inspectors, he added.
Mr Blair and Mr ElBaradei's stress on external verification of suspect weaponry found is being seen as tacit acknowledgement that some observers believe coalition forces could be tempted to fabricate such "evidence", if finding banned weapons proves elusive.
'Threat remains'
US commanders continue to stress the threat posed by banned weapons.
On Wednesday, US Brigadier General Vincent Brooks warned that Saddam loyalists were still holding out in some parts of northern Iraq, and might resort to using weapons of mass destruction.
On Monday, US defence officials said that initial field tests on a number of chemicals found near the city of Karbala suggested the possible presence of the nerve agents sarin and tabun, as well as mustard gas.
But there have already been a series of false alarms.
On Saturday, US officials admitted to the latest, when they said tests on thousands of vials of white powder touted to be a possible chemical warfare agent revealed it was more likely to be an explosive or antidote. | |
: there are tunnels everywhere under Bagdad, till up to 5 km outside Bagdad (if I remember)