U.N. nuclear watchdog appoints Romanian diplomat Feruta as interim chief

Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta will head the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) until member states agree on who will permanently succeed deceased Director General Yukiya Amano, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said on Thursday.

The IAEA announced on Monday that chief Yukiya Amano had died, leaving the agency with a leadership vacuum at a time of rising tensions between Iran and the West following Washington's decision last year to quit a 2015 international deal that curbed Tehran's nuclear program in return for an easing of economic sanctions.

"The Board of Governors has decided to designate Mr. Cornel Feruta as acting Director-General until a Director General assumes office," the IAEA said.

Also Read: UN's nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano has died: IAEA