Damascus, June 08 (QNA) - Head of the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (SAEC), Dr. Mudar Al Akleh has confirmed that the project to convert the fuel of Syria's Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU) represents a strategic step aimed at ensuring the reactor's long-term operation, enhancing nuclear safety, and aligning with international standards adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Akleh said that the transition to LEU fuel would help overcome international restrictions that had previously limited fuel supply, thereby ensuring the reactor's sustainable operation and the continuation of its research activities. He noted that the conversion would also strengthen self-protection measures and reduce nuclear proliferation risks in accordance with Syria's obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the IAEA safeguards system.
Dr. Al Akleh stressed that the fuel conversion would not negatively affect the reactor's research capabilities, explaining that its operational specifications, including power output and neutron flux, would remain unchanged. This would allow scientific applications to continue uninterrupted, particularly neutron activation analysis (NAA) and the production of short-lived radioisotopes, while providing a safer, more reliable, and sustainable operating environment.
He added that the use of LEU fuel is consistent with modern internationally recognized standards, enhances operational efficiency, and reduces operational risks. The initiative, he said, forms part of broader efforts to modernize Syria's nuclear research infrastructure in line with global scientific developments.
The AECS Head emphasized that cooperation with the IAEA and international partners marks a significant milestone in Syria's scientific development, opening opportunities for expanded training programs, knowledge exchange, and research fellowships for Syrian and Arab specialists. Such initiatives, he noted, would contribute to strengthening national expertise in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
Dr. Al Akleh revealed that the Commission is currently implementing several technical cooperation projects with the IAEA across a range of sectors, including healthcare, food security, energy, nuclear safety, and sustainable development. He described these projects as a cornerstone for enhancing Syria's national research capabilities and expanding the use of peaceful nuclear technologies.
He further explained that the MNSR modernization project is part of a broader strategic vision aimed at applying nuclear technologies to support key sectors, particularly healthcare. This includes boosting the production of radioisotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing reliance on imported supplies.
The reactor is also playing an increasingly important role in the agricultural and industrial sectors through the use of neutron activation analysis techniques to study soil properties, optimize fertilizer use, and support pest control efforts. In addition, it contributes to food safety inspections, quality assurance for agricultural exports, monitoring surface and groundwater quality, and tracing sources of environmental pollution.
According to Dr. Al Akleh, the reactor also serves as an important educational and research platform for training Syrian students and researchers in nuclear science and engineering, helping to prepare a new generation of specialists capable of meeting international standards in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
He noted that ongoing discussions with the IAEA extend beyond fuel conversion and also encompass broader plans to modernize radiation monitoring systems, strengthen nuclear safety and security measures, upgrade research infrastructure, and implement advanced human-capacity development programs. These efforts, he said, reflect a new phase of cooperation based on transparency and scientific openness.
The Atomic Energy Commission of Syria recently participated in a technical meeting held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, over the past week. The meeting brought together a Syrian delegation and technical teams from Canada, the United States, and several other countries to discuss the technical arrangements for converting the MNSR reactor's fuel from HEU to LEU. The discussions formed part of wider efforts to ensure the reactor's continued operation and enhance its peaceful research applications in accordance with international standards. (QNA)