Saudi Minister supports creation of WMD-free zones in Middle East

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Oct 2023 23:35

If nations intend to demonstrate the absence of undisclosed nuclear programs, they must resolve all outstanding issues concerning this matter, the Saudi Minister said.

In this photo released by the U.S. Air Force on May 2, 2023, airmen look at a GBU-57, or the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri (U.S. Air Force via AP)

Saudi Arabian Minister Plenipotentiary Majdi Moharran affirmed on Friday his support for the creation of nuclear and WMD-free zones in the Middle East and said he remains confident in the attainability of this objective.

"My country [Saudi Arabia] believes that the establishment of zones free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction is a step toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons is not difficult to achieve," Moharran said during a meeting of the UN First Committee.

The Saudi minister highlighted that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review conferences have consistently underscored the importance of "Israel's" participation in the treaty and its commitment to subjecting its nuclear facilities to comprehensive safeguards. This is seen as a crucial step in preserving peace, security, and stability in the region.

"Saudi Arabia calls for states to commit to these safeguards agreements signed with the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency]," Moharran said.

Moharran added that if nations intend to demonstrate the absence of undisclosed nuclear programs, they must resolve all outstanding issues.

The remarks come after recent statements delivered by Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who openly opposed Riyadh's demands to acquire its own nuclear program.

On September 24, Lapid said on TV he was "in favor of the normalization deal with the Saudis, but I would not have approved the issue of uranium enrichment."

"This will make Saudi into a nuclear state, which will change the entire face of the region," he said, noting that the UAE would soon want to join in.

"The negotiations are truly difficult, but instead of this aimless jargon, we could strike a deal with Riyadh that does not include uranium enrichment," the former Israeli premier said. "We are not allowed to agree to this condition."

In August, an Israeli-based website, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported that Riyadh considers its nuclear demands a crucial aspect of any potential normalization agreement with "Israel."

Saudi Arabia seeks permission to engage in uranium enrichment programs primarily for peaceful, non-military purposes.

However, Israeli security sources have raised concerns about the possibility of Saudi Arabia potentially using these programs to develop military nuclear capabilities.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has assembled a team to address this issue, which includes Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, security advisor Tzahi Hanegbi, and an expert on nuclear matters who also serves as an assistant to the Prime Minister.

On September 25, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said during the gathering of IAEA member states that Saudi Arabia is committed to the highest nuclear safety standards.

"The Kingdom is committed through its national policy on atomic energy to the highest standards of transparency and reliability… The kingdom is working to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy across various fields through close cooperation with the agency," bin Salman said.

"This includes the Saudi national atomic energy project through its various components, including the building of the first nuclear power plant in the kingdom," the Minister added in Vienna.