Arabs lobby US on anti-Israel vote

Diplomats say Arab nations are urging Washington and other powers to end their support of Israel's nuclear secrecy and to push the Jewish state to allow international inspections of its program.

Diplomats say Arab nations are urging Washington and other powers to end their support of Israel's nuclear secrecy and to push the Jewish state to allow international inspections of its program.

HT Image

Islamic nations have long called for Israel - which is commonly assumed to have a nuclear arsenal - to open the program.

But the fact that the Arab League has directly approached Washington and other Israeli allies for support at the September meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency is significant. Last month, President Barack Obama warned against using the forum to single out Israel.

He also suggested such a move could kill hopes of a breakthrough at proposed talks on a Mideast nuclear-free zone. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because their information is confidential.