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North Korea has ended co-operation with UN nuclear inspectors and ordered them to leave the country, the International Atomic Energy Agency says.

Pyongyang told the IAEA to remove seals and equipment from the Yongbyon reactor and said that it would reactivate its nuclear facilities, the watchdog said.

The move came after the communist nation said it was pulling out of talks on ending its nuclear programme.

North Korea is angry about a UN statement condemning its rocket launch.

Pyongyang says the 5 April launch was aimed at putting a communications satellite in orbit.

But other nations believe it was testing long-range missile technology, in violation of a UN resolution banning Pyongyang from ballistic missile development.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the move to expel the IAEA an "unnecessary response".

"Obviously we hope that there will be an opportunity to discuss this not only with our partners and allies but also eventually with the North Koreans," she said.

'No access'

In a statement, the UN watchdog said North Korea had served notice that it would cease co-operation immediately.

NUCLEAR CRISIS
Feb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aid
June 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactor
June 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assets
Oct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorism
Dec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aid
Jan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"
5 April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite
14 April 2009 - After criticism of the launch from the UN Security Council, North Korea vows to walk out of six-party talks

"It [the North] has requested the removal of all containment and surveillance equipment, following which, IAEA inspectors will no longer be provided access to the facility," the statement said.

"The inspectors have also been asked to leave... [North Korea] at the earliest possible time."

IAEA inspectors went to North Korea following the landmark February 2007 deal, under which it agreed to end its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political incentives.

Some progress was made - last year North Korea partially disabled its Yongbyon reactor and handed over what it said was a complete declaration of its nuclear activities.

But talks have stalled in recent months, as Washington and Pyongyang accused each other of failing to meet obligations.

Hours after the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning its rocket launch, North Korea announced it was pulling out of talks - with the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan - on the deal.

"We will never again take part in such talks and will not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks," a foreign ministry statement said.

The US called Pyongyang's decision to withdraw a "serious step" in the wrong direction.

"We call on North Korea to cease its provocative threats... and to honour its international commitments," a White House spokesman said.

China and Russia, meanwhile, have urged North Korea to reconsider its decision, with Beijing calling for "calm and restraint".

Analysts say the action from North Korea appears to be an attempt to test the Obama administration and to force it to make fresh concessions.

North Korea carried out a nuclear test in October 2006.