Butler lodges complaint against Arab League

Both the Arab League (AL) and United Nations (UN) have frustrated the efforts of Richard Butler, the head of UNSCOM, the international committee concerned with removing Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

AL sources told ArabicNews.com today that Butler complained to the UN secretary-general against AL officials who accused him of exceeding the limits of his task and questioning the committee's competency.

US diplomats reported to Arab officials the resentment of Washington toward the formal information campaign against Butler's mission as he is an international employee performing the Security Council's mission.

Yet, in a formal message the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan of Egyptian reservations regarding the committee's dealings with Iraq.