Spanish nuclear expert enters race to lead IAEA

Echavarri joins new contenders from Slovenia and Malaysia, and a renomination from Japan -- Yukiya Amano, a non-proliferation veteran who failed to garner enough votes in the first vote.

Neither of the original candidates, Amano and South African diplomat Abdul Samad Minty, were seen as broad-based enough to replace ElBaradei, who steps down in November this year.

"Many have countries have called on Spain saying I could play that role -- to meditate between different sensitivities surrounding the IAEA," Echavarri said.

"I have a lot experience in dealing with many countries with different policies and experience with both developing and industrialised nations."

Board chairman Algeria invited fresh nominations following the inconclusive two-way election and another vote will be held in May just in time for the board's meeting the following month.