Weapons of mass destruction free middle-east needed: Egypt

United Nations, Sep 29 (IANS) The Middle East region should be free of weapons of mass destruction, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy here Saturday during the General Debate of UN general assembly.

The Middle East region should be free of weapons of mass destruction, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy here Saturday during the General Debate of UN general assembly.

Fahmy said that "a new Middle East will not come about without ensuring the right of equal security", adding that the region should be free from threats posed by the existence of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, Xinhua reported.

He called on the countries of the region, who haven't signed or ratified any of the international conventions on weapons of mass destruction, to commit, before the end of this year, to simultaneously sign and ratify the relevant conventions.