Washington: The United States on October 10 flatly rejected an invitation from the head of Iraq's armament programme to inspect two sites where Washington suspects weapons of mass destruction are being developed.

"This is not up to Iraq. This is up to the UN," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer. "The only question that remains is what terms the inspectors go back in under so they can do an effective job."

US President George W Bush has warned of possible US military action to strip Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein of any chemical, biological or nuclear weapons if the United Nations fails to take strong steps to disarm Baghdad.