Mubarak decides on the site of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant

Egypt announces site of first nuclear power plant

CAIRO — Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak has instructed the government to start building the country’s first nuclear power plant at a site on the Mediterranean coast, ending a year of controversy.

Mubarak’s decision puts an end to attempts by business tycoons with strong ties to the ruling family to build sea resorts on the el-Dabaa site. The whole coast is known for its attractive beaches.

Presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad said in a Wednesday statement that Mubarak reached the decision after discussions with members of the Supreme Council of Nuclear Energy.

Mubarak first announced plans to launch a number of nuclear power plants in 2007. He pledged to work closely with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency and said Egypt was not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.