Vienna: The UN nuclear watchdog's annual conference started today with a showdown looming over efforts by Syria and Iran to get a seat on the IAEA board and Islamic countries railing against Israel's nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's 145 member countries gathered in Vienna for the 52nd general conference, an annual week-long meeting for drawing up general policies on a whole range of issues, from non-proliferation, nuclear terrorism to medical applications of nuclear technology.

This year, however, proceedings look set to be dominated by two key issues: the possible candidature of either Syria or Iran for a seat on the IAEA's 35-member board; and Islamic countries anger over Israel's nuclear weapons.

Israel is widely believed to be the only country in the Middle East to possess nuclear arms, but it refuses to open up its programme to international inspections.

In the past two years, Islamic countries have put a resolution urging all Middle East nations to refrain from testing or developing nuclear arms. It urges nuclear weapons states "to refrain from any action" hindering a Middle East nuclear-free zone.

Last year, they even singled out Israel as a "nuclear threat" in a separate resolution.

Angered at the move, Israel put the resolution to a vote and the resolution was duly defeated.

Nevertheless, the issue could come to a head again this year, since Arab states have again tabled an item this time entitling it "Israeli nuclear capabilities".

Diplomats said Israel could again force a vote on the Middle East nuclear-free zone resolution unless the second item is withdrawn.