Riyadh:  Leaders of six Gulf Arab states have announced that they would jointly develop peaceful nuclear technology and draw up a plan towards this purpose.

The leaders made the announcement in a communiqué issued at the end of the two-day 27th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit Sunday. The group comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

GCC Secretary-General Abdul-Rahman al-Attiya assured that all nuclear-related activities of the member countries would abide by international treaties and be subject to external scrutiny.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal dismissed speculation that the GCC's decision to seek nuclear technology would heighten regional tension.

"We will develop nuclear technology openly, rather than clandestinely. We don't want atomic bombs," he said.

The members also reaffirmed their support for resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis through peaceful means, and called on Iran to focus on environmental problems and cooperate with the international community, particularly the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

They also urged Israel to accede to treaties on the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and allow international inspection of all its nuclear facilities.

The GCC leaders decided to extend al-Attiya's term for three more years and designated Oman as the venue for the next summit meeting.

The Riyadh-based GCC, established in 1981, aims to enhance the coordination and cooperation among its member states and promote regional integration.