UN weapons inspectors pounced on about a dozen sites in Iraq yesterday in their busiest day yet as President Saddam Hussein's opponents met in London to plan for a future without him.
The United Nations, meanwhile, was pressing Iraq for a list of scientists linked to its chemical, biological, nuclear and long-range missile programmes so that UN experts can interview them inside or outside the country.
Chief UN arms inspector Mr Hans Blix has asked Iraq in writing to name the scientists by the end of December. An Iraqi official has said a list is in the works.
Under a November 8th Security Council resolution, the inspectors have the right to interview in private anyone who might know details of Iraq's weapons programmes, if necessary by taking them and their families out of the country.
Some diplomats believe the United States is pushing the issue to provoke a clash between Baghdad and the UN arms experts that could provide a pretext for a war on Iraq.
Washington says it will topple Saddam and disarm Iraq by force if it fails to disarm voluntarily.
In a fresh sign of preparation for war, the United States has ordered another 27,000 Reserve and National Guard troops to prepare for active duty, defence officials in Washington said.
Saddam's opponents gathered in London for a meeting at which they hoped to bury their differences and map out a future for Iraq in the event the Iraqi leader is toppled. About 300 delegates attended the gathering on the invitation of a committee of six opposition groups recognised by the United States.
Scores of UN arms inspectors combed at least three suspect sites for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq today.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) drove to Um al-Maarek (Mother of Battles), once a nuclear research centre run by the Military Industrialisation Commission, about 15 km (nine miles) south of Baghdad.
Teams from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) targeted at least two other sites, Iraqi officials said. All three have been inspected before.
One team visited Nasr (Victory) complex in Taji area, 25 km (15 miles) north of Baghdad. Long-range Scud missile components are reported to have been produced at this location.
Another inspected the Mu'tassim missile plant in Jurf Sakhr, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad. The plant occupies the grounds of the former al-Atheer nuclear facility.
Iraq, which denies having banned weapons, gave the United Nations a huge dossier on its arms programmes last weekend in line with a Security Council resolution threatening serious consequences if it fails to cooperate with the inspectors.
UN teams visited around dozen sites yesterday - the heaviest day of inspections since they resumed their search last month after a four-year gap.