Egyptian MPs want nuclear bomb
In stormy Parliament session, many politicians call on government to 'change diplomatic language', work to obtain nuclear weapons, particularly after Olmert implied that Israel possesses such a bomb
The Egyptian newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reported that during a stormy meeting held Friday by the Parliament's national security, defense, foreign and Arab affairs committees, Ibrahim al-Jaafri of the Muslim Brotherhood called on the government to "change the country's diplomatic language".
Jaafri's colleague, Abed al-Fatah Amar, also called on the government to obtain nuclear weapons for deterrence purposes, while Parliament Member Esmat Sadat criticized the government for ignoring the nuclear plan.
"We have no one to complain about but ourselves. I am afraid that the nuclear project will turn into 'business' and a matter of interests," he said.
During the meeting, many criticized former Arab League Secretary-General Dr. Esmat Abdul Meguid for expressing doubts over the possibility that Israel has nuclear weapons, calling his remarks "dangerous" and "irresponsible."
"Olmert's confession cancelled all doubts. Abdul Meguid's statements are irresponsible because he is not in power, but he meant to say in his statements that Israel is lying all the time," said Dr. Mustafa al-Fiqi, chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Last month, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak hinted during a meeting with Olmert in Sharm al-Sheikh that his country may aspire to obtain nuclear weapons if another country in the region (apparently Iran – R.N.) acquires such weapons.
“We don’t want nuclear weapons,” Mubarak stated, “But since they appear highly present in the area, we must defend ourselves."
