IAEA chief travels to North Korea

Mohamed El-Baradei, the Chief of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is heading to North Korea to discuss the recent deal to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Mohamed El-Baradei is expected to agree a timetable and terms for the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to verify a shutdown of North Korea's nuclear complex by mid April this year.

“I look forward obviously to go back and establish a new framework for co-operation. I hope we can move forward, but again, I should caution that this is the first step in a long process. It will have to be an incremental process,” Mr El-Baradei stressed.

The breakthrough deal was reached during six-party talks in February, 2007.

Pyongyang expelled inspectors 4 years ago and conducted its first nuclear test last year. The test alarmed the international community and lead to the UN imposing sanctions.