UN Talks Back Conference on Nuclear-Free Middle East

Signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have agreed to work towards a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East.

The members, meeting at the UN in New York, called for a conference in 2012 attended by Middle Eastern states – including Iran – to establish the zone. The unanimously agreed document also said that Israel should sign the NPT.

US President Barack Obama backed the deal but said he was "strongly opposed" to Israel being singled out.

The US says the reference could jeopardise efforts to persuade the Israelis to attend the 2012 talks. The decision was crucial to the success of a month-long conference on strengthening the NPT, reports BBC News.

The 28-page final declaration was agreed following intense talks on the last day of a month-long conference. The document calls for the United Nations secretary general to organise a meeting of Middle East states in 2012 to agree to the creation of a "zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction."

"All eyes the world over are watching us," said conference president Libran Cabactulan, of the Philippines, as the final text was approved.