ElBaradei, Mohamed (1942- )

Egyptian lawyer and diplomat. He became director general of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1997. He and the IAEA jointly shared the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for their commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and the promotion of the safe use of nuclear energy during peacetime.

ElBaradei became well known for his leadership of the UN Security Council's team to search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2003. ElBaradei also led the IAEA in its dealings with nuclear programmes in Iran and North Korea.

ElBaradei was born in Cairo, Egypt. He earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cairo in 1962 and a doctorate in international law from the New York University School of Law in 1974. He joined the Egyptian diplomat service in 1964 and represented Egypt in the United Nations missions in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland. After serving as special assistant to Egypt's foreign minister 1974-78, he became the director of the International Law Programme at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in 1980 as well as a law professor at New York University. He was a senior member of the IAEA from 1984, holding positions such as legal adviser and assistant director general for external relations.