UAE's support to Iran's use of N-power comes with a rider

Dubai, Dec 3: The UAE will support Iran's peaceful use of nuclear power, provided it gets an assurance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the project's security and environmental safety, a top minister said.

''We are, collectively and individually, considering nuclear power as a source of alternative energy,'' UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said.

''We would like to see an end to the conflict between Iran and the international community through a serious dialogue that takes into consideration the interests of all sides,'' the Gulf News quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will attend the 28th summit of the Gulf leaders today, and assure Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministers that his country's nuclear intentions were peaceful.

About the situation in Iraq, the minister said the UAE is closely monitoring the state of affairs in that country.

''Although we feel positive about the improving security situation, but what has been achieved is still far from what we hope, and the level GCC countries consider safe enough,'' he said.

UNI