Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — A prominent Saudi said Riyad could consider the feasibility of joining
any nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Former Saudi intelligence director Prince Turki Al Faisal said the Gulf Arab kingdom would not fall behind the
nuclear weapons programs of Iran and Israel.

“Our efforts and those of the world have failed to convince Israel to abandon its weapons of mass destruction, as well as Iran,” Turki, believed to speak for the royal family, said. “Therefore, it is our duty towards our nation and people to consider all possible options, including the possession of these weapons.”

In an address to a security conference in Riyad on Dec. 5, Turki was the latest senior Saudi official to raise the prospect of a nuclear option for Riyad, Middle East Newsline reported. Saudi leaders have repeatedly warned of Iran’s nuclear weapons capability as well as efforts to destabilize the Middle East.

Turki, today director of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, said the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council must consider a powerful unified military force that could counter any regional threat. The prince said this could include a weapons of mass destruction arsenal.

“Why shouldn’t we commence the building of a unified military force,
with a clear chain of command,” Turki asked.

“But, if our efforts and the efforts of the world community fail to bring about the dismantling of the
Israeli arsenal of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and prevent
Iran from acquiring the same, then why shouldn’t we at least study seriously
all available options, including acquiring WMDs, so that our future
generations will not blame us for neglecting any courses of action that will
keep looming dangers away from us.”

Over the last two years, Saudi Arabia has drafted plans for a nuclear
energy program. Officials said Riyad could build up to 16 nuclear reactors
by 2021 at a cost of up to $90 billion.

Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin echoed Turki’s warnings of
regional dangers. In his address, Muqrin highlighted the Iranian nuclear
threat and called for tighter GCC cooperation as well as a new defense
doctrine.

“We must search for new strategies to ensure regional security in the
Gulf,” Muqrin said.

  Ex-Saudi intel director says kingdom must consider ‘acquiring WMDs’, Gulf Cooperation Council, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Prince Muqrin, Prince Turki Al Faisal, Riyad