VIENNA (Xinhua): An official from the UN atomic watchdog IAEA confirmed to Xinhua on Saturday that Syria has agreed to quit running for IAEA board membership, leaving Afghanistan the only candidate for the vacancy for 2008-2010.

The MESA (Middle East and South Asia) area has a seat in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-member board of governors, and Pakistan's term has just expired.

Iran, Syria and Afghanistan had all been trying to get the seat. Early this month, Iran announced withdrawing from the competition and turning to support Syria with other Arab League nations.

However, Syria's bid had run into fierce opposition from the United States and other Western countries over its nuclear issues.

A total 11 board seats had been up for election at this year's general conference, with all of the other 10 adopted by consensus earlier Friday, leaving only the choice of the MESA group postponed until late Friday afternoon amid disagreements among IAEA members.