Morocco calls for moratorium on nuclear weapons in Middle East

Morocco called on Wednesday for a moratorium on nuclear weapons manufacturing, acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, saying Israel is the only country in the region which is not member to the Non-proliferation treaty.

The statement was made by charge d'affaires at the Moroccan embassy in Mexico, Noureddine Khalifa, at the conference of countries signatory and parties to the treaties creating nuclear weapons-free regions.

All countries of the (middle east) region should take concrete measures for a nuclear weapons-free region in the Middle east, he said. Khalifa insisted that any headway in ridding the region of nuclear weapons requires that Israel, the only state which has not signed the non-proliferation treaty, adheres to the convention and submit its nuclear facilities to the guarantees regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

A nuclear-free region in the Middle East is not only needed to ward off weapons proliferation and insecurity in the region but also an international goal and a factor to consolidate peace and security in the world, said Khalifa.

Nuclear super-powers, the international community and international organizations should take their responsibility in this context, stressed the Moroccan diplomat.

The Mexico conference, bringing together representatives of over 50 countries, is addressing several issues related to the contribution of nuclear-free regions in the non proliferation of nuclear weapons and mechanisms needed to consolidate political coordination between these areas.