Libya signed in Vienna Wednesday an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out snap checks on all its nuclear facilities.  

The protocol was inked by Mohamed El Baradei, director general of the UN nuclear watchdog, and Libya's representative Mohamed Matooq at the IAEA headquarters.

The protocol allows IAEA inspectors to carry out unannounced checks on active nuclear facilities, decommissioned reactors, uranium mines, fuel production and enrichment plants, research centers and other suspected locations.

Libya announced in December that it would completely eliminate weapons of mass destruction and quit programs for developing chemical and nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

The IAEA voted earlier Wednesday to report Libya to the UN Security Council for its violation of the NPT while praising its efforts to remedy the breach, said an IAEA spokesman.

The resolution, which was thought not to seek sanctions on Libya, was passed by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors.

El Baradei said Monday that Iran and Libya had failed to fulfill their obligations under the international nuclear safeguards agreements.

"In view of many years of violation of non-proliferation obligations by Libya and Iran, I am asking for the provision of information and a full measure of transparency," El Baradei said at a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)