Shots fired as gunman breaches UN security

The United Nations building in New York was locked in a security alert last night after a man fired several shots into the air before being overcome in the driveway in front of the organisation's headquarters.

Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, had just finished briefing the Security Council on his talks with Iraqi officials when an Asian man in a long-sleeved dark blue shirt jumped over the fence into the UN compound, pulled out a silver-coloured pistol and fired up to seven shots straight above his head.

At least two of the shots hit the UN secretariat building, striking the 18th and 20th floors, including the women's restroom on the 18th floor. No one was injured. It was the first such incident at the building, where security has been tightened since the 11 September attacks last year.

The man then threw his gun down, scattered dozens of leaflets on North Korea, and calmly waited to be arrested. Three armed guards forced him to the ground and handcuffed him.

The leaflets were signed by "a citizen of the UN, Steve Kim, Oct 2, 2002". "North Korea is groaning under the weight of starvation and dictatorial suppression," they said.