US weapons search team leaves Iraq empty-handed

After failing to find any illicit weapon in Iraq, a 400-strong US team left the oil-rich country, an American newspaper reported on Thursday.

Also Read US finds no banned weapons in Iraq

The New York Times said the moves signals that the US has given up efforts to uncover alleged weapons of mass destruction that President George W Bush accused deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein of possessing.

Another group assigned with the task of disposing off chemical and biological weapons is reportedly twiddling its thumbs.