Reuters: Saudi defends Gulf Arab atom plans, criticizes Iran

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By Souhail Karam

41 minutes ago

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Monday Iran's nuclear program was an extra burden
on a region already fraught with challenges, but that Gulf Arab allies had the right to their
own peaceful atomic ambitions.

Arab Foreign ministers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) were meeting in the
Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss progress in their plans for a joint civil atomic program that
has raised fears of a nuclear race with Iran.

"This urges us to deal with the new challenge with full responsibility ... and adopt diplomatic
solutions in a way that would preserve the right of countries in the region for their own nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes."

The GCC's decision to pursue a nuclear program has raised concerns that Arab states may want
to protect themselves if Iran acquires nuclear weapons. Gulf Arabs have expressed concern
over Iran's nuclear program which the United States says could be aimed at making bombs.

Tehran says its program is peaceful.

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