The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded the alarm bells over some 2.5 tons of Ghadafi-era natural uranium that has disappeared from a site in Libya that is not under control of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU). IAEA inspectors "found that ten drums containing approximately 2.5 tons of natural uranium in the form of UOC (uranium ore concentrate) previously declared by (Libya) ... as being stored at that location were not present at the location," the global nuclear watchdog said in a Wednesday statement delivered by IAEA head Rafael Grossi. "The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk, as well as nuclear security concerns," Grossi added. Sabha was a Ghadafi-era facility that had hoped to eventually enrich uranium for a nuclear weapons program until it was mothballed in 2003. The IAEA vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the uranium.

Source: Libya Today March 17, 2023 04:08 UTC