Djibouti signs non-proliferation deal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration and Djibouti have signed a deal to cooperate on preventing nuclear proliferation at the Port of Djibouti.

The NNSA announced a nuclear non-proliferation agreement was reached with top Djiboutian government leaders from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Equipment and Transportation, the NNSA reported.

As part of the agreement, the NNSA will support the installation of nuclear detection equipment at the Port of Djibouti, among other measures to counter the smuggling of weapons-grade nuclear material.

"This agreement highlights the shared commitment of the United States and the Republic of Djibouti to combat nuclear terrorism," William Tobey, NNSA deputy administrator for defense nuclear non-proliferation, said in a statement.

"The Port of Djibouti plays an important role in the global maritime shipping system by linking Europe, the Far East, Africa and the Persian Gulf. Djibouti's strategic location as a crossroads between East and West underscores the importance of this agreement to increase international maritime security."