Britain is considering easing UN economic sanctions against Iraq and replacing them with so-called "smart embargoes" focused on arms control, British newspapers reported today.
Britain and the United States had agreed to rethink their policy towards Iraq in the face of mounting hostility from the Arab world after last Friday's British-US air strikes against Iraqi targets, the
Guardian
said.
It quoted unidentified British officials for its information.
The newspaper said the rethink had also been prompted by growing opposition among NATO allies - including France and Germany - to existing attempts by Washington and London to contain Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
British ministers were actively considering a dual track strategy to try to turn foreign opinion around, the Guardiansaid.
It quoted the officials as saying the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq enforced by US and British warplanes would not be abandoned unless President Saddam allowed UN weapons inspectors back into his country.
The Independentnewspaper said the British Foreign Office had signalled a relaxation of policy towards Iraq less than 24 hours before last Friday's air strikes.
This development had intensified claims the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair was bounced by Washington into launching the air strikes, the newspaper said.
Foreign Office Minister Mr Brian Wilson outlined the new approach on sanctions against Iraq when he issued a written parliamentary reply last Thursday, the Independentsaid.
No immediate comment was available from the British government on the reports.
UN economic sanctions were imposed against Iraq after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
In Iraq, newspapers today criticised the UN and accused it of failing to react to Western air strikes near Baghdad on Friday. The (UN) Security Council has not even called for a meeting to discuss the evil crows' (planes') daily aggression against Iraq, the official al-Iraq newspaper said.