Egyptian nuclear report expresses worry Cairo could be lumped with Iran, Syria

Vienna: Officials say Egyptian nuclear experts have written a report expressing worry their country could be grouped with the likes of Iran and Syria.

Excerpts from that report have been shared with The Associated Press. Its authors warn Egypt could be compared to Tehran and Damascus unless a UN investigation into traces of highly enriched uranium is brought to a swift end.

The particles - enriched close to the levels required to arm nuclear missiles - were detected by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2007 and 2008. Egypt says the particles originated from abroad and were inadvertently imported, but the agency is unsatisfied with that answer.

The report reflects a growing sense IAEA chief Yukiya Amano has little tolerance for nations under nuclear scrutiny that use delaying tactics to undermine investigations.