U.N. Nuclear Chief Leads First-Time Inspections...

[pinto]

U.N. Nuclear Chief Leads First-Time Inspections of Facilities Linked to Libya's Weapons Program
By Maggie Michael Associated Press Writer
Published: Dec 28, 2003

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - In a major step toward disarmament, Libya on Sunday for the first time let U.N. nuclear officials inspect four sites related to its nuclear weapons program, all previously cloaked in secrecy.

The visits led by the chief U.N. weapons inspector Mohamed ElBaradei are part of an international effort to ensure the North African state has no weapons of mass destruction. They followed the surprise announcement by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi more than a week ago that his country would abandon its pursuit of such weapons.

<snip>

On arriving in Libya Saturday, ElBaradei said the North African country appeared to be far from producing nuclear arms

<snip>

ElBaradei praised Libya's new openness as a step in the right direction, "particularly in the Middle East."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAOTQ6JROD.html