Nuclear tech black market closure sought

CAIRO, March 24 (UPI) -- The head of the IAEA arrived in Cairo Wednesday on his mission to gain Middle East support to close the black market in nuclear technology.

Mohammed el-Baradei, who heads the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, said the purpose in visiting his native Egypt was to meet with leaders to discuss ways on achieving his mission.

El-Baradei said he would also travel to Iran to press Tehran for complete openness about its nuclear program, the Voice of America reported.

Commenting about the concerns of Arab countries regarding Israeli nuclear capabilities, he said his agency has no jurisdiction over Israel. He said Israel and Arab leaders should address the nuclear issue as part of the Middle East peace process.

Turning to Libya, El-Baradei said the process of ridding that nation of weapons of mass destruction is almost complete. He said he planned to visit Tripoli after his talks in Tehran.