KABUL, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan Minister for Mines and Industries Mohammad Ibrahim Adil has rejected the claims that British forces in southern Helmand province illegally extracting uranium, a local news agency Pajhwok reported Tuesday.

    Adil made these remarks in response to a parliamentarian Sediquezada Nili in Wolesi Jirga or Lower House on Monday, Pajhwok said.

    However, the minister admitted that Britain's flag could be seen near the uranium deposit "This meant to alarm people not to enter the area to save them from paralyzing."

    Adil, according to the news agency, added that exploration work on uranium mines would only be feasible if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gives permission.

    More than 8,000 British forces with majority of them deployed in Helmand have been serving in Afghanistan to stabilize security in the war-battered country.