Qatar mulls nuclear energy move

Qatar is eyeing a move towards nuclear technology in a bid to meet its future energy needs, a Ministry official has revealed.

Preparations are under way for the development of a peaceful nuclear programme in the Gulf state, said Dr Athab Taher al-Kinani, an expert at radiation protection at the Ministry of Environment.

“Qatar is approaching some countries to own a research reactor. This is going on under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. As we know pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes is now a policy adopted by all Gulf states since the GCC summit held in 2006,” he said in comments published by Qatar daily Gulf Times on Wednesday.

However, he added that there was no date given for finalising such a step.

“This is a political issue and hence requires a political decision. It is not only a scientific decision. We hope that Qatar can make progress in availing of the peaceful uses of the nuclear energy,” he told the paper.