"I wouldn't presume to speak for him," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in response to a query.

"I would let him speak for himself," he said.

"I would point out that the search is an important priority and the work of the Iraq Survey Group continues."

The Washington Post had reported in its Thursday editions that Kay, in his job since May, might soon leave for "personal and family reasons."

McClellan noted the group's interim report "already pointed out that Saddam Hussein's regime was in serious violation of (UN) Security Council Resolution

"And the Iraq Survey Group will continue and complete its work," he said.

"Again, I would not speak for Mr. Kay.

"I will let him speak for himself."

US contentions that Saddam's regime was manufacturing and stockpiling banned weapons was a critical argument in President George W. Bush's controversial decision to go to war in Iraq.

But thus far no such weapons have been uncovered in Iraq.

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