The International Atomic Energy Agency has postponed a vote on whether to give current chief Mohamed El Baradei a new term, with only Washington opposing his reappointment.

The IAEA board met on Wednesday in a special session at the agency's headquarters in Vienna to discuss the appointment of a new director general when El Baradei's current four-year term expires on November 30th. 62-year old El Baradei is the only candidate for the post.

Board chairman Canadian ambassador Ingrid Hall says support for his candidacy has increased and board members want a vote on his reappointment to be taken as soon as possible and no later than the next board meeting on June 13th.

Chinese ambassador Wu Hailong says the Chinese government believes El Baradei to be the best choice to lead the agency for another term.

(CRI.com April 28, 2005)