Beirut (Lebanon): UN experts today began probing allegations that Syria has run a hidden nuclear programme. Damascus imposed strict secrecy on the visit and warned the UN not to drag it into a drawn-out investigation like the standoff with Iran.

The Syrian government's silence over the visit was a sign of the deep sensitivities over the US and Israeli nuclear allegations, which Damascus denies but fears could be used by Washington to rally international pressure against it.

The main focus of the inspectors is the Al Kibar facility-- a building in the remote eastern desert that was destroyed in September by Israeli jets and the American intelligence officials have claimed was a nearly completed plutonium-producing reactor.

Syrian state-run media has not acknowledged the arrival of the International Atomic Energy Agency team, and authorities have imposed strict measures on the local and foreign press to control reporting on the subject.

Yesterday, officials at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna confirmed its team had left for Syria for the visit-- which is to examine US allegations that Syria has secret nuclear sites. Neither Syria nor the IAEA has confirmed any details since, and it is not known when the team will tour Al Kibar during its three-day stay.

Syria in June agreed to the IAEA check of the US and Israeli allegations, but said it will not allow the agency to probe beyond the Al Kibar site, despite IAEA s expressed eagerness to visit three other suspect locations.

Source : PTI