SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi foreign minister says his country is seeking a solution to have a Middle East free of nuclear weapons

Record ID: 189117

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi foreign minister says his country is seeking a solution to have a Middle East free of nuclear weapons
  • Date: 12th February 2013
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 12 ,2013) (REUTERS ) SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER, PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL AND VICE-CHANCELLOR OF AUSTRIA AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MICHAEL SPINDELEGGER, SEATED FOR NEWS CONFERENCE WIDE OF CONFERENCE AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES LOGO OF SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER, PRINCE SAUD AL FAISAL, SAYING: "Well, of course there is a necessity of an agreement between Iran, not just a compromise between two sides, there is a necessity that Iran follow the international rule on increase in atomic weapons in the region. So I don't think it's a matter of a choice whether to do it or not. Iran itself has said it is following a peaceful cause in developing nuclear power but if that should prove not the case then it certainly has gone against the international law and the law of the United Nations and decisions. So we are not looking for a compromise solution between Iran and whatever body is negotiating with them, we are looking for a solution to prevent the increase of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. What we want for the Middle East is a region free of nuclear weapons and that is the policy we are following." WIDE OF CONFERENCE REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (?Arabic) (ROUGH TRANSLATION) SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER PRINCE, SAUD AL-FAISAL ,SAYING: "I guess that obstacle in the problem of the bleeding in Syria, is not the problem of the mediator appointed and international attitudes towards the conflict, but the real problem rests on the Syrian regime, which is refusing to have a peaceful solution, which is refusing the transfer of power which led to the loss of any connection between the Syrian people and with this leadership. The question that presents itself -- what will the international community with this refusal and this constant bleeding? We, in our view, if the international community does not take measures to stop the bleeding, so at least enable the Syrians of defend themselves." FAISAL AND MICHAEL SPINDELEGGER SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAE5R670K1RSECLUI2T3BNTSBLY
  • Story Text: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister called on Tuesday (February 12) for the Middle East region to be free of nuclear weapons, saying Iran must comply with international regulations.
    Iran and the six big powers are due to resume negotiations in Kazakhstan on February 26 aimed at finding a diplomatic settlement to the decade-old dispute over its atomic programme and avert the threat of a new war in the Middle East.
    The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it would seek in talks in Iran this week to bridge differences that have prevented it restarting an investigation into the Islamic state's atomic activities.
    The agency has been trying for more than a year to revive its inquiry into suspected nuclear weapons research by Iran, which denies Western allegations that it is seeking to develop the capability to make atomic bombs.
    An IAEA inspection team left for Tehran for talks on Wednesday.
    Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud al-Faisal said Tehran must act in accordance with international rules.

    "Well, of course there is a necessity of an agreement between Iran, not just a compromise between two sides, there is a necessity that Iran follow the international rule on increase in atomic weapons in the region," he told a news conference in Riyadh.

    "We are looking for a solution to prevent the increase of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. What we want for the Middle East is a region free of nuclear weapons and that is the policy we are following," Faisal said.
    Speaking on Syria, the foreign minister also condemned President Bashar al-Assad's regime and called on the Syrians to defend themselves, rather than rely on international mediation.
    Nearly 60,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict since protests erupted in 2011 against Assad's rule.
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