Turkish president backs Mideast nuclear-free zone

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he will call for a Middle East totally free of nuclear weapons when he addresses the UN General Assembly later this week.

"We would like to see our region free of nuclear weapons," Gul told The Associated Press in an interview on Monday. "The region should not be under such a threat." Gul said he intends to raise the issue when he addresses the world body on Thursday. (AP)