"Dr Blix will not look to renew its contract when it expires at the end of June, spokesman Ewen Buchanan said.

"It was a particular phase in this exercise and if there is to be a new phase then somebody else should take it on."

"He was not a volunteer and frankly speaking he hoped to be out of here one year ago," the spokesman added.

Blix, a 72-year-old Swede, was named to the post in April 2000 and was scheduled to serve for two years, through last November 27.

France and Russia pushed for his nomination despite US hesitation, no doubt due to his reputation for knowing how to stand up to pressure.

A Swedish former foreign minister, Blix led the UN's Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency from 1981-1997.

WAR.WIRE