VIENNA, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Six Arab nations announced plans to pursue nuclear energy, which has some experts wondering if the unstable region could become awash in nuclear bombs.
The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna said Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates all expressed interest in obtaining the technology to provide nuclear-powered energy to citizens, Saturday's Times of London reported.
Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the six countries are apparently seeking to create a "security hedge" with Iran openly pursuing the development of nuclear weaponry and Israel believed to have already achieved it, the Times said.
"If Iran was not on the path to a nuclear weapons capability you would probably not see this sudden rush," he told the Times.
The six countries have met with officials at the IAEA, who will offer guidance in developing legal, civilian nuclear programs.
