Egypt renews call to put nuclear installations in ME under IAEA supervision

Egypt renewed its call for putting nuclear facilities in the Middle East under guarantees supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It pointed to the real danger threatening the security and safety of the Egyptian people and neighboring countries as a result of the presence of the Israeli nuclear reactor in the Negev desert on Egypt's eastern borders.

Israel has been refusing to put its nuclear reactors under international supervision.

Egypt's permanent delegate to the United Nations Ahmad Abul Gheit said on Friday that he reiterated the Egyptian demands during the United Nations General Assembly' discussions on the issue of atomic radiations.

He said that Israel must comply with the international resolutions in that respect, including the one approved by the IAEA last September.

On the other hand, Egypt late Friday highlighted the importance of setting up a mission for peace in Somalia.

Addressing an ad hoc UN Security Council session on Somalia, Abul-Gheit called upon the UNSC to shoulder its responsibility and play a more effective role in settling the conflict in Somalia.

'The UN should be ready to face the challenges in Somalia as it has been always ready to face them in several parts of the world,' Abul Gheit said.

'Egypt, meanwhile, welcomed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's proposal to form a group of friends of Somalia, to be in charge of highlighting the Somali problems and meeting the needs of the Somali people,' he added.