The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors on Wednesday decided to close a long-time probe against Syria launched under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad after the country's new authorities led agency exports to key nuclear sites.
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month visited two sites, one in Deir Ezzor and a second in an undisclosed location identified to them by Syrian authorities. IAEA head Rafael Grossi said on Monday that a near-complete nuclear reactor found in Deir Ezzor and built secretly during the rule of al-Assad would have been able to produce material to make nuclear weapons.
The IAEA board "adopted by consensus" a text stating that a 2011 resolution finding Syria in non-compliance with its obligations was "terminated", noting the current government's cooperation, two diplomats told AFP.
The resolution, seen by AFP, was submitted by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia and "encourages Syria to continue its cooperation with the agency, including the excavation work at the Deir Ezzor site".
It also "requests the director general to update the board, as appropriate, on the outcomes of ongoing activities of the agency" in Syria.
