BAGHDAD, June 6: United Nations nuclear experts returned to Iraq on Friday for the first time since the US-led invasion, to check on looting at a research facility that may have caused radioactive contamination.

Seven experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) flew to Iraq from Kuwait on a limited mission under tight US restrictions.

The IAEA plans to begin work on Saturday at one part of the sprawling Tuwaitha compound, Iraq’s main nuclear facility, about 20km southeast of Baghdad.

“We have been disturbed about reports of looting and that these barrels that contained natural and low-enriched uranium have been looted,” said IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.—Reuters