IAEA chief visits Baghdad

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BAGHDAD, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Iraq's decision to sign onto the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should serve as a model for regional leaders, the IAEA chief said.

Iraq in October agreed to ratify the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty during meetings with members of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Iraq's ratification brings the total number of states to sign onto the Additional Protocol to 119.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano praised Baghdad's decision during meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"Iraq's gesture to implement the Additional Protocol sends a positive message to the Middle East region and around the world," Amano said in a statement.

Iraq was found to have abandoned its nuclear ambitions following an inspection regime supported by the United Nations. David Kay, a former weapons inspector, said there was no evidence to suggest Iraq took significant steps to build nuclear weapons after 1998.