UAE committed to weapons control

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has reiterated the UAE's commitment to combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in co-operation with the United Nations.

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ABU DHABI // The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has reiterated the UAE's commitment to combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in co-operation with the United Nations. On the eve of the UN General Assembly, Dr Anwar Gargash said the UAE was a regional leader in introducing measures to ban the spread of such weapons, reported WAM, the government news agency.

Dr Gargash said a task force, which had been established on the orders of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Interior Minister, is working to co-ordinate the measures. Authorities, such as customs and free zones, are also involved in ensuring compliance with international laws and conventions. Procedures have been put in place, said Dr Gargash, to investigate and scrutinise goods coming into and out of the country by trained staff.

Regulations are also in place to block the import and export of "dual use" materials that could have civilian or military applications. Under UAE law, there are harsh penalties for those found guilty of trading in these materials. The statement came days after it was reported that the US had accused five Dubai-based companies of violating its sanctions against Iran by selling goods of US origin in the Islamic republic which it claimed were "dual use" items.

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