Saleh calls for utilizing nuclear energy [Archives:2007/1038/Local News]

SANA'A, March 31 ) Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh called on Arab states to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to make greater efforts to ensure a joint Arab project for generating electrical energy by means of nuclear energy.

''It is time for Arab nations to make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and reunify Arab efforts made in this regard, as a way to ensure the existence of a joint Arabic project for nuclear energy to generate electricity from which all Arab states can benefit,'' he said.

The call came on Thursday during the 19th Arab Summit held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The summit, which began on Wednesday, was chaired by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz.

Arab leaders showed concerned over a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

“For the first time Arabs are showing real interest in developing a nuclear industry but further steps depend on their political will,” the Associated Press quoted Wael al-Assad