ElBaradei give last speech to U.N.

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- International Atomic Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei made his final address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York Monday.

ElBaradei outlined the ways in which the IACA evolved during the past 12 years and progress made in bringing the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology to developing countries, the United Nations said in a release.

He also said he was encouraged by recent developments that could lead to a world free of nuclear weapons.

"Nuclear disarmament, which failed to make any headway in the two decades since the end of the Cold War, is now back at the top of the international agenda and there is reason to hope that we may see a breakthrough," ElBaradei said.

Diplomacy instead of military force and isolation should be used when dealing with state not complying with international nuclear non-proliferation treaties, calling for "a new system with effective global mechanisms for conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking -- an equitable and inclusive system in which security is not perceived as a zero sum game, or based on domination, or on a balance of power."

The 35-member IAEA Board of Governors in July elected Yukiya Amano of Japan as ElBaradei's successor. ElBaradei´s term ends Nov. 30.