Arab states back weapons-free zone

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Arab states along with the United Arab Emirates backed a draft U.N. resolution sponsored by Egypt calling for a region free of nuclear weapons.

The draft calls on governments in the Middle East to establish a "nuclear-weapon-free zone" and asks leaders to "declare solemnly that they will refrain, on a reciprocal basis, from producing, acquiring or in any other way possessing nuclear weapons," UAE newspaper The National reported.

The resolution also advocates complete monitoring and transparency with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations.

Members scheduled consideration of the referendum at the end of October as Ahmed al-Jarman, the UAE representative to the United Nations, warned against nuclear proliferation.

"The challenges facing international peace and security were compounded, not only by the race to acquire arms, but by a backdrop of smuggling arms and dangerous materials, making it possible for dangerous weapons to fall into the hands of extremists," he said.

He called on countries that were moving to develop a nuclear program to "reconsider their position" while recognizing the right to explore nuclear technology for civilian use.

Iran and Syria are widely suspected of developing weapons programs, while Israel has existed as a de facto weapons state since the 1980s.