Egypt voices concern over non-signatories to NPT

Egypt’s interim foreign minister has expressed serious concern over the situation of nuclear proliferation by non-signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Speaking at a press conference in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo on Saturday, Nabil Fahmy lashed out at non-parties to the NPT over their refusal to sign the treaty. His remarks have been considered by analysts as indirect reference to Israel as the only possessor of nuclear arsenal in the Middle East.

Israel is widely believed to have between 200 and 400 nuclear warheads while the Israeli regime rejects all the international nuclear regulatory agreements — the NPT in particular — and refuses to allow its nuclear facilities to come under international regulatory inspections.

Fahmy further noted that efforts must be made in order to establish peace and stability in the Middle East, adding that Egypt wants to become a major player in the region.

He stated that Cairo naturally supports the Palestinian cause, and will play the appropriate role in this regard.

Tension has intensified since the Egyptian army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament on July 3 before declaring the chief justice of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, as interim president the following day.

Dozens of people have since been killed in the wave of violent clashes among Morsi supporters, his opponents and security forces.

Reports say at least five protesters — including four women and a teenage boy — have been killed and hundreds of others injured by birdshot and stabbing attacks during clashes between the opponents and supporters of Morsi in the Nile Delta city of Mansura.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Muslim Brotherhood activists and their supporters took to the streets of Cairo and other cities to demand Morsi’s reinstatement.

Thousands of people also held demonstrations across Egypt in favor of the military coup against Morsi – the country’s first democratically elected president.