Iraq approves UN resolution, Russia prepares for talks on lifting sanctions

Iraq yesterday announced its consent of the UN security council resolution 1441 provides for the return of UN inspectors back to Iraq.

Iraq's permanent representative to the UN Muhammad al-Douri said that Iraq will deal with the UN security council resolution, expressing his country's readiness to receive UN inspectors within a set schedule.

Al-Douri added that Iraq is eager to see the UN inspectors performing their duties according to the international law as soon as possible.

In Moscow, the Russian deputy foreign minister Yuri Viditov stressed that Russia will debate the issue of suspending the sanctions imposed on Iraq in case Iraq executes UN demands.

He said that for Russia, UN resolution 1441 is acceptable because it does not allow the use of spontaneous force against Iraq.

Viditov added that his country calls for a settlement to the Iraqi issue by political and diplomatic means, stressing that Russia will continue efforts to settle this issue within the political confines of the UN security council