Iraq's state-controlled press has urged United Nations members to stand up to the United States and accept Baghdad's offer to hold talks with weapons inspectors.
The UN's chief arms inspector said he wanted Iraq to agree to the return of inspectors before he accepted the invitation to visit the country for technical talks, which Baghdad hinted could lead to the resumption of inspections for the first time since 1998.
"I think they (Iraqis) have to say that they accept the return of weapons inspectors according to the resolutions of the Security Council," Hans Blix was quoted as telling Sunday's edition of the London-based al-Hayatnewspaper when asked when he might go to Iraq.
The United Nations was sceptical about last week's invitation and Washington said there was nothing to discuss and called for "unfettered inspections" in Iraq. It renewed its determination to oust President Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's al-Thawranewspaper urged UN support for its offer.
"All members of the United Nations must fulfil their responsibilities and stand up to this destructive, aggressive American tendency and strongly back Iraq's new initiative...to eliminate all doubts and reveal the fabricated American-British lies," it said in an editorial.
Britain was also sceptical about the Iraqi invitation, which will be discussed by the Security Council's 15 member states this week. France and Russia have welcomed the Iraqi move.