Iraq 'used gas in Gulf war'

WASHINGTON - A Marine chemical warfare officer in the Gulf war said his unit detected poisonous gas in the air at least twice at the start of the allied ground war against Iraq, Reuter reports.

Both times, Marine Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Cottrell told senators at a hearing, his unit 'detected blister agent (gas) at levels below immediate threat to personnel.' His testimony indicated for the first time that American units detected low levels of chemicals during the Gulf war.