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The US has threatened military action if Iraq is found to have breached a recent UN resolution which obliged it to list all its weapons.

A spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mark Gwozdecky, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday that it would be premature to say how significant the warhead find was without proper checks.

Friday is also the 12th anniversary of the American-led air attacks which began the Gulf War.

In a defiant speech to mark the occasion, the Iraqi leader said Baghdad had defended itself with determination 12 years ago, defeating the "evil troops" of dozens of countries.

Anyone who tried to climb over the walls of Baghdad now, he said, would fail in the attempt.

"Baghdad, its people and leadership, is determined to force the Mongols of our age to commit suicide at its gates," the Iraqi leader said, referring to the Mongol armies who sacked the Iraqi capital in 1258.

Mixed messages

The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Paris says France has yet to make any comment on the discovery of the warheads and is likely to reserve judgement for the time being.

IRAQI MATERIAL UNACCOUNTED FOR

Nearly four tons of VX nerve agents Growth media for 20,000 litres of biological warfare agents 15,000 shells for use in biological warfare 6,000 chemical warfare bombs Nuclear information

But in the meantime, our correspondent says, Paris is sending mixed messages about the French diplomatic stance in this crisis.

It wants another UN resolution before military force is used against Baghdad - however, Mr Chirac has warned his troops to be prepared for anything in the coming year.

Mr Blair has also been reluctant to comment on Thursday's discovery - Britain and America are waiting for the results of more detailed analysis of the warheads.

The discovery may be viewed by the US and Britain as part of a pattern of infringements by Iraq.

But BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Blair is likely to agree with Mr Blix that inspectors need more time to do their work.

After the meeting, Mr Blix will fly out to Baghdad to meet up with his inspection team, before giving a preliminary report to the UN Security Council in New York on 27 January.

'No smoking gun'

It is not clear whether the warheads discovered by weapons inspectors ever contained banned chemicals - experts have taken away samples for testing.

KEY DATES

16 Jan - Chief UN inspector Hans Blix briefs EU 19 Jan - Blix meets top Iraqi officials in Baghdad 27 Jan - First full report on inspections presented to UN 29 Jan - UN discusses report 31 Jan - Bush meets Blair 15 Feb - Anti-war protests across Europe 27 Mar - Blix submits new report to UN

Next steps in full

An Iraqi spokesman said the weapons were old discarded artillery rockets - not chemical or biological warheads.

UN spokesman Hiro Ueki said 11 chemical rocket warheads - and a 12th that requires further evaluation - were uncovered at the Ukhaider depot, south of Baghdad.

None of the weapons had been declared by the Iraqi Government, he added.

Mr Ueki did not elaborate on the significance of the find - but the UN office in Baghdad has since told the BBC that they did not immediately consider the discovery to be a "smoking gun".