Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/8/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ARABS/U-N REACT (S-Only)

NUMBER=2-296258

BYLINE= TETIANA ANDERSON

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraq says it will study the new U-N Security Council resolution on returning weapons inspectors to Baghdad, and an Arab League spokesman says member states will likely not oppose its implementation. Tetiana Anderson reports from Cairo.

TEXT: The only official Iraqi reaction so far came from its ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Al Douri. He said Iraq will have to study the resolution, before deciding whether to accept it.

The U-N vote came as Arab League foreign ministers were preparing to meet here in Cairo. A spokesman for the Arab League, Hisham Youssef, told The Associated Press news agency that Arab countries have indicated they will respect the Security Council decision.

Mr. Yousef also said that he was surprised by the unanimous decision, and had expected some abstentions. Syria, the only Arab country on the Security Council, joined the other members in voting in favor of the resolution. Syria had said it was opposed to any new resolution on Iraq.

The Arab League is scheduled to hold a summit here on Sunday, with Iraq expected to be one of the main topics. (Signed)

NEB/TA/AWP/TW