IAEA calls on Syria to cooperate

VIENNA, June 7 (UPI) -- Syria hasn't cooperated with international nuclear inspectors since June 2008 on some sites, the director of the IAEA told officials Monday in Vienna.

Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the board of governors Monday that Damascus hasn't cooperated in investigations regarding its Dair Alzour site and "other locations."

Israeli jets bombed the Dair Alzour facility near al-Kibar in Syria in 2007. Intelligence officials said they believed the site was a nuclear reactor of North Korean design under construction since 2001.

IAEA inspectors found traces of uranium that went undisclosed by Damascus, though it was unclear if the uranium was from Dair Alzour.

Amano called on Damascus to cooperate with the agency "on all matters." He added that it would be "helpful" if Israel shared any information regarding Dair Alzour with the IAEA.

Syria claims the nuclear material was from the Israeli weapons used on Dair Alzour, though the IAEA discredited those claims.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad said in March that it was "important" for Damascus to consider a civilian nuclear energy program.