Tests show powder not chemical weapon: US

A US officer said that first tests of a white powder found in boxes near Baghdad indicated it was not a chemical weapon.

A US officer said on Saturday that first tests of a white powder found in thousands of boxes near the Iraqi capital indicated it was not a chemical weapon.

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Colonel John Peabody said, "On first analysis it does not appear to be a chemical that could be used in a chemical weapons attack."

Peabody, commander of the Engineer Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, said most of it appeared to be the chemical antidote atropine, and another chemical.

US forces said on Friday they had found thousands of boxes containing vials of unidentified liquid and powder as well as manuals on chemical warfare at two sites near Baghdad.

Iraq denies having any weapons of mass destruction.