Blix to chair new Iraqi arms inspection group

The United Nations Security Council approved the nomination of Hans Blix, a former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to head the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), a newly-created arms inspection body that is to replace UNSCOM.

Blix's nomination came after the defeat of the nomination of former UNSCOM chief Rolf Ekeus. Ekeus' nomination met with opposition from Iraq, as well as Security Council permanent member states Russia and China.

" I expect Mr. Blix to take up his mandated tasks as soon as possible," a statement from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said yesterday.