The U.N. nuclear agency says its investigation into an alleged secret
nuclear reactor in Syria has made a "good start" after inspectors
visited the site.
Chief inspector Olli Heinonen said Wednesday that he and two colleagues achieved what they wanted from their first trip to Syria as part of the investigation. The International Atomic Energy Agency official was speaking on his return to Vienna after four days in Syria.
Heinonen said his team took samples at the Al Kibar complex in northeastern Syria that Washington says housed a covert nuclear reactor built with North Korean help. Israeli warplanes destroyed the building last September.
Heinonen said the agency still has work to do in analyzing samples from the site. He did not say when U.N. inspectors may return to Syria.
Damascus denies U.S. intelligence allegations that it built a secret nuclear reactor and accuses Washington of fabricating evidence.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
Chief inspector Olli Heinonen said Wednesday that he and two colleagues achieved what they wanted from their first trip to Syria as part of the investigation. The International Atomic Energy Agency official was speaking on his return to Vienna after four days in Syria.
Heinonen said his team took samples at the Al Kibar complex in northeastern Syria that Washington says housed a covert nuclear reactor built with North Korean help. Israeli warplanes destroyed the building last September.
Heinonen said the agency still has work to do in analyzing samples from the site. He did not say when U.N. inspectors may return to Syria.
Damascus denies U.S. intelligence allegations that it built a secret nuclear reactor and accuses Washington of fabricating evidence.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
