According to the report in The Times, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia had discussed the possibility of investing in programs to build nuclear reactors. IAEA officials, stating they believe the nations are interested in pursuing civilian nuclear energy programs, say they would consider lending support to the projects.
"Some Middle East states, including Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Saudi Arabia, have shown initial interest [in using] nuclear power primarily for desalination purposes," said Deputy Director-General of the IAEA Tomihiro Taniguch.
Experts believe that continued Iranian nuclear development was the impetus for the Arab interest in investing in nuclear power. "If Iran was not on the path to a nuclear weapons capability, you would probably not see this sudden rush [in the Arab world]," said Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
While the Arab nations claim that they plan to develop civilian nuclear energy, which is allowed under international law, experts speculate that they intend to use the technology to develop nuclear arms. The newly expressed nuclear interest marks a change in Arab policy, which previously had called for a nuclear-free Middle East. Saudi Arabian Prince Saud al-Faisal stated in an interview to The Times several months ago that the Saudis were against nuclear development in the Arab world.
"Some Middle East states, including Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Saudi Arabia, have shown initial interest [in using] nuclear power primarily for desalination purposes," said Deputy Director-General of the IAEA Tomihiro Taniguch.
Experts believe that continued Iranian nuclear development was the impetus for the Arab interest in investing in nuclear power. "If Iran was not on the path to a nuclear weapons capability, you would probably not see this sudden rush [in the Arab world]," said Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
While the Arab nations claim that they plan to develop civilian nuclear energy, which is allowed under international law, experts speculate that they intend to use the technology to develop nuclear arms. The newly expressed nuclear interest marks a change in Arab policy, which previously had called for a nuclear-free Middle East. Saudi Arabian Prince Saud al-Faisal stated in an interview to The Times several months ago that the Saudis were against nuclear development in the Arab world.