The current mission here of the chief UN weapons inspectors is "an important - but not the last - chance" to avoid a US war on Iraq, inspector Dr Mohamed ElBaradei said as he arrived at the foreign ministry for talks with Iraqi officials this afternoon.
Dr ElBaradei and fellow chief inspector Dr Hans Blix are at the start of a two-day visit here to assess Iraqi compliance with United Nations demands that Baghdad disclose and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction.
"This is an important - but not the last - chance," Dr ElBaradei said.
There will be other chances," he told reporters.
"We are always hopeful," added Dr Blix as the two men entered the foreign ministry building.
Dr Blix and Dr ElBaradei are due to report their findings on February 14th to the UN Security Council, where Washington is seeking a resolution that would authorise the use of force against Baghdad.
AFP