Claims that a Danish businessman traded oil with Iraq in violation of the UN's previous trade embargo against the country will be investigated by the United Nations. Office director Bent Lindhart Andersen of the National Agency for Enterprise and Construction confirmed the news to Ritzau on Tuesday,

"We have nothing regarding the case in our system. But a very comprehensive investigation is underway at the UN, and is being closely watched," said Lindhart Andersen.

Danish authorities will await the results of the UN-level investigation before considering possible further action.

A recent report from the American CIA implicated businessman Erik Emborg in the purchase of oil at low prices from members of Saddam Hussein's regime during the embargo years. The CIA report claimed that Emborg paid a commission of DKK 1.6 million (215,000 euros) to the regime in exchange for the discount oil.

In a previous interview with regional newspaper Nordjyske Stiftstidende, Emborg denied any wrongdoing, and said the CIA must have based its report on a deal between his agent in Moscow and the former Iraqi Ambassador to Russia.