Libya tells Iran: Be like us and comply with IAEA

Reuters: Libya, which last year renounced its nuclear weapons programme, on Monday urged Iran to follow suit and comply with the demands of the U.N. nuclear watchdog to stop enriching uranium which can be used to make atomic bombs. Reuters

VIENNA – Libya, which last year renounced its nuclear weapons programme, on Monday urged Iran to follow suit and comply with the demands of the U.N. nuclear watchdog to stop enriching uranium which can be used to make atomic bombs.

“As (IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei) said today, some things have to be fulfilled by Iran,” Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Matouq M. Matouq told reporters after meeting U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) annual general conference.

“The Iranians have to meet these obligations because of the agreement with the IAEA, and we hope that we can have another example (of) Iran of fulfilling the obligations and following the IAEA agreements,” he said.

On Saturday the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution calling on Iran to end uranium enrichment. Tehran rejected the resolution, calling the demand illegal.

Matouq also said Tripoli’s December 2003 decision to abandon all weapons of mass destruction could be seen as an example for Iran and all other countries.

“Libya has set an example for everybody,” he said.

Washington accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons, but Tehran insists its atomic ambitions are peaceful.