Sarin nerve gas found in field claims US officer

Initial tests on chemical drums found north of Baghdad indicates one of them contains a mixture of nerve gas and mustard gas, claims a US Army officer.

A chemical team checked the storage facility and discoverd cyclosarin, a nerve agent, and a blister agent which could have been mustard gas, says Lt Col Ted Martin.

Soldiers also found two mobile laboratories containing some equipment for mixing chemicals, but were probably ransacked by looters.

"I am satisfied that it is sarin," Martin said, adding that further tests were being conducted.

Lt Col Martin confirms another chemical team is being sent to the site for further testing.

So far, no conclusive evidence of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons have been reported by coalition forces.

PA