'Qatar wants nuclear-free Middle East'

Doha : Qatar has called for urgent implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy on subjecting all nuclear facilities in the Middle East to the comprehensive IAEA safeguards, as an essential step for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, which enhances the effectiveness of the NPT and bolsters nuclear security worldwide .

This came in a statement of the State of Qatar at the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna delivered by Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry and the 'Governor of the State of Qatar to the International Atomic Energy Agency', according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Dr. Al Hammadi, noted that "The State of Qatar, like the other Middle East countries, is alarmed by the presence of nuclear activities in our region which are not intended for peaceful purposes, and bothered about the grave consequences that threaten international peace and security by the presence of these activities, it calls on the international community for the urgent implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy for subjecting all facilities nuclear in the Middle East to the comprehensive IAEA safeguards."

Dr. Al Hammadi expressed the hope that the Conference discussions would crystallize international convictions and cooperation to promote the nuclear security, and give a strong boost to joint international action in other areas to realize peace, security, economic well-being for all peoples, QNA reported.