UN atomic energy agency chief arrives in Israel

TEL AVIV (AFP) Jul 06, 2004
The UN's atomic energy agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei flew in to Israel on Tuesday for talks with senior leaders aimed at ridding the Middle East of nuclear weapons, his spokesman said.

ElBaradei, the director general of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arrived at Tel Aviv international airport around 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), said IAEA spokesman Mark Gwozdecky.

Before leaving neighbouring Egypt, ElBaradei earlier told reporters that the aim of his "discussions with Israeli officials is to close the gap between Israel's position and that of other countries in the Middle East".

ElBaradei is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom during the visit due to end on Thursday.

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