UN Nuclear Chief To Visit North Korea

Muhammad el-Baradei (file photo) (epa)
February 23, 2007 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Muhammad el-Baradei, says he will visit North Korea after receiving an invitation from the government there to discuss the freeze of North Korean nuclear facilities.

El-Baradei said a letter he received from Pyongyang expressed a desire "to go back to being a member" of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On February 13, North Korea reached a deal at six-party talks to disable its main nuclear complex in return for fuel oil.

(compiled from agency reports)