His Majesty King Abdullah stressed Sunday on the need to create a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, saying Jordan will set an example to other countries in peaceful use of nuclear energy.

During talks with visiting UN nuclear watchdog Chief Mohammad Al Baradei, the King said Jordan, an IAEA member and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), will become a model for peaceful use of nuclear energy in line with international rules.

is Majesty said that the IAEA's support for the Kingdom, including technical assistance and development of human capabilities, would guarantee the success of the country's aspired nuclear programme.

The King said the atomic programme is needed to develop the technology to diversify the country's energy sources, mainly due to rising oil prices. He added that the programme would only be for "peaceful use, generating electricity and desalinating water".

In turn, Baradei said his agency will send a team next week to follow up on the project.

Jordan plans to set up a nuclear plant by 2015 to generate electricity and desalinate water.

The Jordan Times