Vienna - Mohamed ElBaradei will not seek a fourth term as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an agency spokesman confirmed in Vienna on Thursday.

Last week, IAEA Board members were informed about the decision by Director General ElBaradei, whose term in office runs out in November 2009.

The 66-year-old diplomat, who has led the UN nuclear agency since 1997, received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the IAEA in 2005.

ElBaradei began his career in the Egyptian diplomatic service. In 1984, he joined the IAEA in Vienna as a legal expert, and became Deputy Director General to his predecessor Hans Blix in 1991. (dpa)