AQ Khan supplied nuke technology to Syria: US

This is for the first time that Bush administration publicly linked Syria to Pakistan via the Khan network.

In the first such revelation of its kind, US intelligence has said that the network headed by Pakistani scientist AQ Khan had offered and supplied nuclear weapons technology to Syria.

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The startling disclosure was made in the 'Intelligence Report to Congress,' which said that Pakistani investigators had confirmed reports from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Khan's network 'offered nuclear technology and hardware' to Syria.

This is for the first time that Bush administration publicly linked Syria to Pakistan via Khan network. So far, it has been saying that the network supplied nuclear materials and goods to only Libya, Iran and North Korea.

Syria maintains nuclear facilities in three places - Dayr, Al Hajar and Dubaya, said the '721 Report', named after a law that requires intelligence establishment to report to Congress about acquisitions of weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions by various countries.

The report covered the period of 2004, but its release was delayed by the new Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said as US newspaper.

"We are concerned that expertise of technology could have been transferred. We continue to monitor Syrian nuclear intentions with concern," said the intelligence report.

"In 2004, Syria continued to develop nuclear capabilities, including uranium extraction technology and hot cell facilities which may also be potentially applicable to a weapons programme," it said.