The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will investigate the veracity of a report from the United States claiming that the installation destroyed by Israel in Syria last September was a nuclear reactor, a UN spokesperson said Friday.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe said the IAEA was provided with information by the United States Thursday, which said the reactor was not yet operational and no nuclear material had been introduced into it.

"IAEA will treat this information with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate its veracity. Syria has an obligation under its safeguard agreement with the IAEA to report the Planning and construction of any nuclear facility to the Agency," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2008)