Beirut - Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday identified areas in which Lebanon should strengthen laws and regulations related to the security of nuclear materials.

The IAEA team, led by its deputy director-general, Juan Carlos Lentijo, issued its report on the review of specialized facilities in this field, conducted during a three-week visit to Lebanon.

'We found that cooperation among competent authorities is at a high level, but we encourage the country to have it in a documented manner in order to clarify what the roles and responsibilities are,' he said.

The team focused its work on medical facilities where radioactive materials are used. They visited waste warehouses and met with security and emergency response agencies and the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission.

The mission of the UN specialized agency is to carry out routine visits, in order to identify weaknesses and provide guidance to strengthen nuclear security and protection, Lentijo said.

Bilal Nsouli, director of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, explained that the country has a long history of cooperation with the IAEA.

Lebanon became an IAEA member State in 1961, although it adopted its first Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan in 2006.