Iraq has ``broken off all cooperation with UNSCOM and its chief and stopped all its activities in Iraq, including the `monitoring operations' from today,'' the statement said.

However, it said the decision ``does not concern the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which can continue its activities... On condition that they are totally independent from those of UNSCOM.''

The statement follows a meeting of the Revolutionary Command Council and the ruling Baath Party leadership chaired by President Saddam Hussein.

It also comes after the UN Security Council reached agreement yesterday on a letter aimed at persuading Iraq to resume cooperation with the UN weapons inspectors.