Egypt terms IAEA resolution on Iran as 'unbalanced'

Egypt today described as "unbalanced" and "inappropriate" the IAEA resolution censuring Iran over its nuclear programme, saying that the UN nuclear watchdog "failed" to take into account the regional dimension.

Egypt on Sunday described as "unbalanced" and "inappropriate" the IAEA resolution censuring Iran over its nuclear programme, saying that the UN nuclear watchdog "failed" to take into account the regional dimension.

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The resolution, demanding Iran immediately suspend construction of its newly-revealed uranium enrichment plant at Qom -- a site kept secret until recently, was adopted at a meeting of the 35-member board of governors of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday.

"The resolution - which Egypt refused to vote for - did not take into consideration the regional dimension while dealing with the Iranian file," an Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

It should have clearly referred to the Israeli nuclear capabilities and stressed the importance of rendering the entire Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction, the spokesman said.

The resolution was referred to the IAEA Board of Governors without offering enough time for consultations on it, the spokesman charged.

"In addition, the timing of the resolution was inappropriate, thus contributing to the lack of confidence between the parties concerned with settling the Iranian nuclear crisis," he said.

25 countries, including India, voted in favour of the resolution spearheaded by the US while Egypt abstained from voting.