Libya to allow UN nuclear arms probes

LIBYA has agreed to allow snap UN nuclear arms inspections, just a day after declaring it was giving up plans to build an atomic bomb.

Libya, widely praised for announcing on Friday that it was ditching efforts to build the bomb and other banned weapons, told the head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Saturday it was ready to sign up to inspections.

The surprise moves, which could lead to the end of US sanctions and the return of American oil companies, mark an about-face by Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan leader for 34 years.