Islamic nations criticize Israel over nukes

[September 23, 2011]  VIENNA (AP) -- Islamic nations at a 151-nation conference have demanded that Israel open its nuclear program to international view, asserting that its undeclared atomic arms program is a threat to Mideast peace.

Iran says Israel's "nuclear arsenal threatens the world." Lebanon, speaking for the Arab group, says Israel's refusal to open up its secretive nuclear program could lead to a Mideast arms race "with unpredictable consequences."

They spoke Friday as the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution calling on all Middle East states to adopt the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. That's an indirect demand on Israel, the only country in the region not bound by the treaty.

Unlike in past years, however, Arab states did not push for a resolution directly targeting Israel as a threat to Middle East peace.

[Associated Press]

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