UN N-agency eyes Syria over noncooperation

Syria's refusal to cooperate with UN inspectors on its alleged nuclear program is expected to dominate discussions as members of International Atomic Energy open a weeklong meeting.

Syria's refusal to cooperate with UN inspectors on its alleged nuclear program is expected to dominate discussions as members of International Atomic Energy open a weeklong meeting.

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The United States and its allies are seeking to have Damascus referred to the UN Security Council for stonewalling, during the agency's 35-nation board meeting that opens Monday.

Western diplomats insist the agency's credibility is at stake after a report concluded that a nearly finished reactor destroyed in 2007 was nuclear. Other members are reluctant to refer Damascus given the political turmoil in the nation.
Iran's continuing refusal to cooperate, safety issues following the Fukushima disaster and the agency's budget are also on the agenda.