United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is hopeful that the weapons inspector would go into Iraq once the fighting stops.

He also said that the UN would play an 'important role' in the post conflict era in Iraq.

"If any weapons of mass destruction are found, the inspectors should go back to test them. I hope the time will come when they will be able to do that," Annan told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the activities of the inspectors have merely been suspended.

Asked about the effect on the legitimacy of the American led action if no weapons of mass destruction were found, Annan said the Council had not endorsed this war though several reasons have been given for the action.

Asked about Iraqi threat concerning suicide attacks, Annan said, "If we were to have suicide attacks around the world, most people would see them as illegal."

He also stressed the need to ensure that Iraqis get the necessary humanitarian aid saying, lack of water in summer could create several problems, including those of sanitation.