Egypt seeks ME free from mass destruction Weapons

"The current international circumstances highlight the importance of a closer cooperation in disarmament and weapons of mass destruction," said Fayza Abul Naga, Egypt's Chief delegate to the UN European seat in Geneva.

Addressing the fifth revision conference of an agreement banning biological weapons on Wednesday, Abu Naga said Egypt called for banning the production and storage of biological weapons as well as destroying the existing ones and setting up effective mechanisms to that end.

"Egypt condemns the September 11 terrorist attack on the US , "said Abul Naga.

She reiterated the call of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 1990 to set up a Middle East free from all weapons of mass destruction..

She warned against the dangerous implications of Israel's refusal to ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Though Egypt is not a signatory of the agreement banning biological weapons for regional considerations, it is closely watching developments on boosting it," said Abul Naga.

Egypt supports all efforts that would motivate non-signatory countries to join the pact, she added.

Moreover, Ambassador Fayza Abul Naga was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.