New York, Nov. 19, 2019, SPA -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has stressed the inherent right of all countries, to peacefully use nuclear energy, in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA standards, procedures and supervision. This came during the Kingdom's speech, during the general debate of the Middle East Conference on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, delivered by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Kingdom to the United Nations Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Manzalawi. Manzalawi explained that the Kingdom contributed with the Arab Group to the adoption of UN General Assembly decision No. 456/73, to instruct the Secretary-General of the United Nations to convene the conference, in order to negotiate a binding treaty, on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, in the Middle East. The Kingdom stance proceeds from the belief of the Kingdom of the importance of the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, which is in a state of turmoil and instability, he added. Strengthening of the climate of international peace and security requires sincere and strong political will of all countries, in particular the nuclear-weapon states, in order that such weapons and other weapons of mass destruction could not be relied upon, as instruments of national security, he emphasized. While many regions are experiencing success in establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones thanks to the cooperation of these countries and the realization of the imperative of peaceful coexistence, it is regrettable that the Middle East region remains intractable to international and regional efforts to make it a nuclear-weapon-free zone with a consensus, he highlighted. Israel's refusal to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to place its all nuclear facilities under the IAEA comprehensive safeguards regime, poses a serious threat, he elaborated, pointing that such a position is running against international peace and security, as well as violating and defiance of dozens of relevant UN resolutions, including Security Council resolutions 487 and 687,” he concluded. -- SPA 21:47 LOCAL TIME 18:47 GMT 0030 www.spa.gov.sa/w1213341