Vienna  - Members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution on Wednesday praising Libya for cooperating with the agency, after the North African state gave up its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.

Diplomats said the resolution drafted by the United States and Britain was also intended to contrast Libya's position with that of Iran, which has been under the IAEA's investigation since 2002.

"Libya provides an example of how a country can rebuild confidence after serious non-compliance," US Ambassador Gregory Schulte told reporters. "We hope that other countries under IAEA investigation take note."

The resolution, passed unanimously by the IAEA's board, said Libya had provided "unrestricted and prompt access" to inspectors of the Vienna-based agency.

The IAEA said earlier this month that it had concluded its investigation of Tripoli's nuclear bomb efforts and would treat its work in Libya as a routine matter from now on. (dpa)