N Korea taken off US terror list

Washington is to remove North Korea from its list of countries sponsoring terrorism, US officials have confirmed.

US State Department officials made the announcement after reaching an agreement with Pyongyang over nuclear verification measures.

"Every element of verification that we sought has been included in this agreement," an official said.

The US listing has been a major factor in the deadlock over North Korea's nuclear disarmament.

The State Department spokesman also said that North Korea would resume its disablement of nuclear facilities.

The move follows days of deliberations within the US administration after a visit to Pyongyang last week by US envoy Christopher Hill.

Analysts say the deal will be unpopular with some conservative Republicans.

North Korea began disabling its Yongbyon nuclear reactor in August, but more recently it has made moves to reassemble the plant after Washington refused to remove it from the terror sponsors' list.

In other provocative steps, it expelled UN inspectors and test-fired short-range missiles, heightening tensions with the US.

Correspondents say that Pyongyang wants to come off the US list in order to receive international aid and loans, and as a step towards its diplomatic rehabilitation.