ElBaradei steps down

VIENNA, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Mohamed ElBaradei steps down Monday as the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He will be replaced by Yukiya Amano.

ElBaradei led the IAEA for three terms -- 12 years -- taking over from Hans Blix. He famously clashed with the Bush administration and also was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. The Times of London, at the time, termed the award a "slap in the face of the United States" and called ElBaradei "a failure."

The agency's dealing with Iran during ElBaradei's tenure is perhaps the most notable aspect of the period. One of his last statements as director general came Friday when he said negotiations with Tehran had reached a "dead end." That was followed by his agency's condemnation of Iran's lack of cooperation with the IAEA. Tehran answered by saying such an international stance was forcing it to expand its nuclear program.

Iran alternately would pledge to work with the IAEA but then was found to be not fully forthcoming with needed information.

ElBaradei Monday addressed the IAEA staff, saying, "It is a feeling of gratitude to be leaving at a moment when the agency has reached such prominence in contributing to international security and development."