Khaddour: Keeping the occupying entity outside the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty constitutes a grave danger

Vienna (ST): Syria has warned against the aggressive behavior of the Israeli occupation entity in the region, with its nuclear capabilities, outside the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Dr. Hassan Khaddour, the permanent representative of Syria to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Vienna, said in a statement  delivered  before the 66th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency: The international community is concerned about the threat posed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons to security and stability in the Middle East.It also sent a clear message about the grave concern about Israel’s nuclear capabilities and demanded Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and place all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive agency safeguards.

Khaddour stressed that “Israel’s aggressive behavior in the region and the existence of its nuclear capabilities outside the framework of the Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement represents a grave danger to the non-proliferation regime and a threat to regional and international peace and security,” stressing that Israel’s refusal to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty, or to any other international agreements related to the disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, and its possession of large nuclear capabilities do not qualify it to talk about cases of non-compliance with the treaty.

Khaddour called for intense international action and to take practical deterrent measures that would lead to Israel’s accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to enable the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East in light of the commitment of all countries in the region to achieve this goal, criticizing the absolute support of the Israeli entity from the United States which practices a policy of double standards in this regard.

Khaddour pointed out that the convening of the Agency’s General Conference as its highest decision-making body provides all member states with an important platform to discuss aspects of the Agency’s work and ways to overcome the challenges it faces, in order to ensure that it continues to carry out its functions with independence, professionalism and impartiality and to prevent its diversion or use as a tool to serve the narrow political agendas of some countries”.

K.Q.