Iran making new model centrifuges for nuke programme

Iran8217;s nuclear chief says the country is making 8220;new generations of more efficient centrifuges8221; that will be in use in its nuclear programme by early 2011.

The official,Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi,says Iranian scientists are still testing the more advanced models before putting them to use. Salehi8217;s remarks were carried Friday by the semiofficial Fars news agency.

Centrifuges are machines used to enrich uranium,a technology that can produce fuel for power plants or materials for a nuclear weapon.

Iran8217;s uranium enrichment is a major concern to the West,worried that the programme masks efforts to make a nuclear weapon.

Iran insists its enrichment work is only meant to generate electricity.