Iraq has accepted a tough new U.N. resolution that will return U.N. weapons inspectors to the country after nearly four years, an Arab diplomat said Wednesday.

The acceptance letter was being delivered to Secretary-General Kofi Annan's office by Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It's a long letter — but the short answer is that they accept,'' said the diplomat.

Iraq had until Friday to respond to the U.N. Security Council.

Annan was in the Washington area on Wednesday to deliver a speech and meet with President Bush, who has repeatedly threatened Iraq with a U.S.-led war if it fails to comply with inspectors.

The secretary-general on Tuesday dismissed a vote by Iraq's parliament opposing the tough new resolution and expressed hope that the government would accept the resolution adopted unanimously last Friday by the Security Council.