BAGHDAD -- Iraq is working on the list of scientists involved in banned weapons programs requested by the United Nations, the spokesman for UN arms inspectors Hiro Ueki said here Tuesday.

"I understand they are working on it," the spokesman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told reporters.

The list should "include names from the top down to the level of scientists and engineers," he replied when asked how far down the chain of responsibility the list was expected to reach, AFP reported.

The United Nations announced last week it had given Iraq until the end of the month to provide a complete list of scientists currently and formerly involved in its chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic missile programs and associated research, development and production facilities.

The obligation to provide the list is contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1441 which tightened the disarmament regime and gave Iraq a final opportunity to cooperate with UN arms inspectors.

Iraq's top liaison with the UN inspectors, General Hossam Mohammed Amin, had said Baghdad was drawing up the list and waiting for a formal request from the United Nations, which UN chief arms inspector Hans Blix sent Thursday.

Under Resolution 1441, the inspectors have new powers to whisk scientists and their families abroad so they may be interviewed without a risk of Iraqi intimidation.

"Let's wait for the list," said Ueki when asked if the UN had plans for debriefing Iraqi scientists abroad.

UN officials have made it clear they remain reluctant to use the authority, despite strong U.S. pressure to do so.