MADRID -- The United States has expressed an interest in using Spain's nuclear, biological and chemical warfare troops in a war against Iraq, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported on Friday, quoting a member of the government.

"The U.S. is interested in using our nuclear, biological and chemical units, which have earned a good reputation in international missions," the paper quoted a member of the government as saying.

A government spokesman denied the report on Friday, Reuters said.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is one of the U.S. President George W. Bush's staunchest allies, defending a tough line against Iraq, which is suspected of developing weapons of mass destruction.