WORLD BRIEFING / EGYPT

United Nations nuclear inspectors have found traces of highly enriched uranium in Egypt, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report. Highly enriched uranium can be used to make weapons, but there was no indication in the brief report that the traces of the particles were linked to such efforts.

The restricted IAEA report, dated Tuesday, said inspectors detected the particles in Egypt last year and in 2007. A senior diplomat accredited to the agency said it was the first time the traces were reported by the nuclear monitor. He requested anonymity because he was commenting on the restricted document.

It was unclear why the agency was disclosing the findings now. IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire said the agency had no comment. The Egyptian Embassy in Vienna said its ambassador was in Cairo and unavailable for comment.