Iraq on Saturday rejected any proposal that would ease 11 years of UN sanctions while tightening an arms embargo, saying French-proposed changes to the draft UN resolution were equally unacceptable.

Iraq totally rejects the new French resolution, which was introduced to the Security Council, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz told the official Iraqi news agency.

From a preliminary reading of the French resolution, it looks similar to the British resolution, but with French makeup, Aziz said.
He did not elaborate further, and it wasn't clear if he was referring to the French amendments in the existing British-proposed resolution calling for lifting of restrictions on most civilian goods entering Iraq while toughening enforcement of an arms embargo and UN control over Iraq's oil revenues.

The United States has endorsed the British proposal.
In New York on Friday, China joined Russia in criticising the plan, saying it appeared aimed at punishing Baghdad rather than easing life for Iraqis. Bureau Report