Report: Arab States Seek To Develop Nuclear Power.

By IsraelNationalNews.com

A British news report revealed that six Arab nations are seeking to enhance their nuclear technology capabilities, as Iran continues to pursue increased nuclear development.

According to the report in The Times, the International Atomic Energy Agency

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.

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.