From correspondents in Washington, United States, 08:32 AM IST

US President Barack Obama has signed off on an agreement authorising the United States to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) develop nuclear power, the White House announced Wednesday.

The deal was originally agreed in the final days of former president George W. Bush's term, but was then left to the Obama administration to decide whether to implement the agreement.

'I have determined that the performance of the agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defence and security,' Obama said in a statement.

Obama instructed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to move forward with implementation of the accord.

The deal has been criticised as a potential proliferation threat in the volatile Middle East, but advocates say it could serve as a model for other Arab countries.

UAE has agreed in the accord that it will not pursue uranium enrichment on its own, which could be used to developing a nuclear weapon. The UAE has also agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of any nuclear facilities.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)