Rice delayed in Iraq, 1 hour late at London meeting

ARBIL, Iraq, Oct 6 (Reuters) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is likely to be about an hour late for a meeting in London to discuss whether to move towards sanctions on Iran, the US State Department said today.

A mechanical problem was found when Ms Rice's military aircraft was inspected on the ground in northern Iraq, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

A backup plane was summoned and that one also developed a mechanical problem en route. A third plane is now heading for Arbil in northern Iraq to pick up Ms Rice who had been waiting on the ground for about two hours.

She is likely to arrive in London at 1800 local. The meeting on how to deal with Iran over its nuclear policy is due to start at 2130 hrs.

REUTERS SHB ND1638