IAEA chief visits Iraq

he head of the International Atomic Energy Agency met with the Iraqi prime minister Sunday to congratulate him on taking steps against nuclear proliferation. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad to congratulate him on his country's ratification of the Additional Protocol, which strengthens and extends safeguards against nuclear proliferation put in place by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the IAEA said in a release. "Iraq sends a clear message to the region and the world for having brought the Additional Protocol into force. I hope this great achievement will be recognized as a best practice in this region and beyond," Amano said. During their meeting, Amano said, "I exchanged views with Prime Minister al-Maliki and Foreign Minister (Hoshyar) Zebari in a very open and useful way. Iraq's gesture to implement the Additional Protocol sends a positive message to the Middle East region and around the world." Iraq showed its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation in October by signing onto the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. At that time, Amano said: "The ratification of the Additional Protocol is clearly a significant step for Iraq in demonstrating its resolve in meeting its non-proliferation commitments under relevant treaties, agreements and resolutions. It is very welcome and can serve as a laudable example for the region and the world."