Damascus, 23 April (AKI) - A North Korean diplomat has denied claims of nuclear cooperation between Damascus and Pyongyang, but stressed there was strong military cooperation between both countries.

"North Korean experts work in Syria in various fields, among them military," said Ri Tao Ho, in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).

"North Korea considers Syria a 'friend'. We have very good economic and military relations," he said.

Tao Ho's statement comes ahead of a US Senate intelligence committee probe of alleged nuclear cooperation between North Korea and Syria. It is also looking at Israel's attack on an alleged nuclear reactor under construction in northern Syria.

American and Israeli newspapers claimed that Israel bombed a nuclear reactor on 6 September 2007 that may have been obtained from North Korea.

Ri denied the claims, saying: "The US claims regarding nuclear cooperation between North Korea and Syria are not true."

He said both countries were engaged in strategic military cooperation that was not forbidden by international law.