A close source of the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed a report by the New York Times Saturday that North Korea secretly sent uranium to Libya.

The source, wishing to remain anonymous, said the UN atomic agency had found evidence that Pyongyong handed over nearly two tons of uranium to Tripoli in early 2001.

The source said the IAEA secured the evidence after conducting investigations on various leads emerging from interviews with former associates of Pakistan's ex-nuclear chief Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Libya handed over the uranium to the US in January this year, after deciding to abandon its quest for nuclear weapons.