16 March (NucNet): France and Libya have signed an accord on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy that includes cooperation into the production of isotopes for medical and industrial use, and desalination plants to help meet possible water shortages in the North African country.
The signing took place during a visit to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, by the director of the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Alain Bugat. Mr Bugat, who was accompanied by a delegation from the CEA and France’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also met the head of Libya’s National Centre for Nuclear Research and Development, Maatug Mohamed Maatug.
In a statement today, the CEA said Libya had taken a strategic decision to renounce nuclear weapons and was cooperating fully with the IAEA. The CEA said countries that respect the international nonproliferation regime are entitled to benefit from nuclear technology necessary for the industry’s development.
In December 2003, Libya publicly revealed its nuclear weapons programme, then renounced it. Libya then invited the IAEA to verify the elimination of its nuclear weapons related activities. Since then, the IAEA has been working closely with the Libyan authorities to gain a complete picture of Libya’s nuclear programme and history.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has pledged to adhere to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which Libya ratified in 1975. Libya signed an additional protocol in 2004, giving IAEA inspectors greater authority in verifying the country’s nuclear programme. IAEA director-general Mohamed ElBaradei indicated at the time that signing the protocol would ensure IAEA oversight over Libya’s nuclear transition from weapons creation to peaceful purposes.
Libya operates one 10-megawatt (thermal) light water research reactor, at the Renewable Energies and Water Desalination Research Centre, formerly the Tajoura Nuclear Research Centre.
