The South African government has welcomed a decision by the government of Iraq to comply with United Nations Security Council resolution to allow the UN inspectors back into the Gulf state.

'Through this decision President Hussein and the Iraqi leadership have displayed courage. There will certainly be challenges but we are convinced that these can be met if all parties engage in the implementation of the Security Council resolution with goodwill,' foreign affairs deputy minister Aziz Pahad said in Pretoria, today.

Mr Pahad called on all parties to work together in creating a climate of confidence, conducive to the efficient execution of the inspections.

The deputy minister renewed his call on all parties to act in such a manner as to ensure the neutrality of the inspection teams and to assist them in performing their duties in an objective, honest and professional manner.

'The sole task of the inspectors must be to determine whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction,' stressed Mr Pahad.

Meanwhile, Mr Pahad is today meeting ambassadors of Russia, France and China to discuss the UN resolution. - BuaNews