Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has told a visiting Chinese delegation that his country continues to suffer due to the inaction of the UN Security Council, state-run television said. Speaking to a delegation led by Chinese cabinet official Ismail Amat, Saddam criticised what he called violations by the United States and Britain of Security Council resolutions.

"The Iraqi people are facing real difficulties and continuous conspiracy from America and Britain when they bomb northern and southern Iraq on a daily basis," television quoted Saddam as telling his guests on Saturday.
"This fact tells us the level the Security Council has reached, watching two of its members violate its resolution and doing nothing. How can they demand others to implement the same council's resolutions?" Saddam said.
He asked his guests to convey his message to Chinese President Jiang Zemin. China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The Chinese visitors, including officials from the ministries of health, trade, foreign affairs and the Chinese red cross, arrived on Friday aboard the first direct flight from Beijing. They also delivered a letter from Zemin to Saddam.
Bureau Report