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Egypt to pursue civilian nuclear plants

October 30, 2007
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Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Monday his country would build several civilian nuclear plants to address future energy needs.

“We believe that energy security is a major part of building the future for this country and an integral part of Egypt’s national security system,” Mubarak said.

The president said Egypt would seek the help of international partners to implement its plans, the Financial Times reported Monday. Egypt is one of several Middle East countries that have expressed interest in in constructing civilian nuclear plants and developing nuclear technology.

Besides seen as a way for the countries to address their future needs, observers said the announcement could be as possibly sending a message to Iran about that country's influence in the region and the belief that it is trying to develop a nuclear weapons program, the British newspaper reported.

Abdel Monem Said, director of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said energy issues not regional politics were the main focus.

"We are concerned about that (Iran), but this is not the response, the response is global and not Egyptian," he said. "We want to have more energy in the country and the talk started last year."  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International

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