Iraq rejects British draft resolution to suspend sanctions

Iraq confirmed its refusal of the draft resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council by Britain to suspend sanctions imposed on Iraq.

The Iraqi News Agency quoted a prominent official in the Iraqi Baath Party as confirming that Iraq will not agree to less than a complete and unconditional lifting of the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990.

Meanwhile, Baghdad placed more than 200 Iraqi experts of strategic war industries, under strict guard.

Iraqi opposition sources said this measure came due to the escape of a large number of the experts, during last few months. A governmental source added that the security guards are present to protect the experts, and are not in fear of their escape.