By ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday called for Egypt to pursue nuclear energy, as the US ambassador said Washington would be willing to help its Mideast ally develop a peaceful program.
Mubarak echoed a call made earlier this week by his son, Gamal, who many believe is being groomed to succeed his father.
"We must increase our exploitation of new energy sources, including the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," President Mubarak said in a televised speech at the closing session of a three-day conference of his ruling National Democratic Party.
US Ambassador to Egypt Francis Ricciardone said the United States had no problem with an Egyptian nuclear program and was ready to supply technology to help.