Via Middle East Online -
RIYADH - The head of the UN atomic watchdog said on Thursday that the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful ends.
"It is a natural right for the GCC countries to possess nuclear energy in order to use it for peaceful purposes," said the head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei.
"There are some 150 countries which use nuclear energy," he told a joint news conference in Riyadh with GCC chief Abdulrahman al-Attiyah.
During their annual meeting in Riyadh last December, GCC heads of state announced their determination to develop a joint nuclear technology programme for peaceful use under international rules.
Their interest in developing atomic energy comes amid a continuing standoff between the West and the GCC's neighbour Iran over its programme to enrich uranium.
ElBaradei said he advised the GCC countries to begin by constructing a plant for research purposes to train staff.
The six GCC countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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