Iraq has failed to reach an accord with the United Nations on a resumption of weapons inspections after intensive talks involving Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mr Naji Sabri.
The impasse today is bound to encourage those in the Bush administration who prefer a military solution to topple President Saddam Hussein compared to many European and Arab leaders who want to explore a diplomatic compromise.
The two-day meeting was the third high-level session on the arms inspectors this year.
"They didn't say yes," Mr Annan told reporters after today’s talks ended. "I would have preferred more," he said, adding: "I cannot force a decision."
Mr Sabri said he expected another round of talks in the coming months on the weapons inspectors, out of Iraq for more than three years, but Mr Annan said no date had been set for the discussions, expected to be in Vienna or Geneva.
The Iraqi delegation will now go back to report to their authorities, he said. "We have agreed to maintain contacts, including continuing discussions on technical matters."
Mr Sabri made clear that he wanted answers to many of the questions he submitted at the last talks in May, on issues ranging from US threats for a "regime change" in Baghdad to a timetable for the lifting of UN sanctions, imposed when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990.