Arab League criticizes Butler's declaration up lifting the sanctions of Iraq

The Arab League criticized statements from Richard Butler, head of UNSCOM, the international committee authorized to investigate Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, concerning the possibility of lifting economic sanctions from Iraq soon.

Ahmed Ben Holi, the Arab League's assistant secretary general, said that Butler's mission is technical and the resolution to lift the U.N. sanctions from Iraq is the Security Council's.

In his report to the Security Council last Thursday, Butler said he doubted the possibility of lifting the sanctions soon.