Saudi Min: GCC States Have Right To Peaceful Nuclear Programs

Monday, Mar 05, 2007

RIYADH [Dow Jones]--The Saudi Arabian foreign minister Monday said the region's states have the right to peaceful nuclear programs according to the rules of International Atomic Energy Association.

In his opening speech to the ministerial council meeting in the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, in Riyadh, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said the GCC must deal with the crisis over Iran's nuclear program requires in a responsible, rational manner, away from rigidity.

Faisal also said the security plan adopted by the Iraqi government won't achieve its goals without national reconciliation and added the deal signed between Palestinian factions in is a turning point in relations between Palestinian leaders and the international community.

The GCC is made up of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain,

-By Anees Al Qudaihi, Dow Jones Newswires; +966 1291 4872, aneesq@yahoo.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-03-07 1652GMT