Amman  - Top experts from seven Arab countries on Monday approved the proposed nuclear projects to be financed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the coming three years.

Heads of nuclear agencies in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq made the announcement at the end of a two-day meeting that focused on coordination of projects in the seven countries in the pursuit of using nuclear technology for peaceful uses particularly in medicine and agriculture.

They held the meeting in their capacity as members of the Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA).

The conferees approved among other things "the scheme of strategic planning that meets their future energy requirements and developing a secure formula for getting rid of waste in the long term", the statement said.

Iran's adamant drive to possess nuclear energy apparently forced several Arab states to develop their own nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes with the help of the IAEA and Western powers. (dpa)