The team arrived without warning on Tuesday morning at the Sijood palace, one of eight sites high on the list of suspected hiding places for banned weaponry, and were let in after some confusion at the entrance.

Access to Iraq's presidential sites was a difficult issue for previous inspection teams

This time there was confusion when the inspectors arrived...

... while those inside sought instructions from the Iraqi leadership

Finally the huge gates swung open...

... and the inspectors found themselves in the grounds of an Iraqi presidential palace.

When the inspection was complete the Iraqis allowed the media a glimpse of the palace's sumptuous rooms

Reporters were struck by the expense lavished on the Iraqi leader's residence