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Ammon News - The United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, urged countries in the Middle East to strengthen efforts aimed at achieving a region free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The UN envoy made her remarks at the third session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which kicked off on Monday.

"The concept of a Middle East zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction merits full support as it would reinforce the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime and contribute to peace and security in the region and beyond," she said, noting the commitment of states in the Middle East region to a future such zone.

Mansour Ayyad Alotaibi (Kuwait), President of the Second Session of the Conference, introduced Jeanne Mrad (Lebanon), appointed by acclamation as President of the Third Session, to run through November 18. She noted that the work under the previous presidencies of Jordan and Kuwait had driven positive outcomes and laid a solid foundation for future endeavors in the common effort to achieve the long-sought objective of establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear and other mass destruction weapons.