The nuclear tests in India and Pakistan have led to renewed calls in the Middle East for all countries in the region to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

A commentary on Egyptian radio said the tests highlighted the importance of President Mubarak's proposal for a regional nuclear-free zone - a reference to Israel's refusal to sign the non-proliferation treaty.

The governments of Iran and the United Arab Emirates also said the Middle-East should be nuclear-free.

Meanwhile, an Israeli defence minister warned of the risk of nuclear technology spreading from Pakistan to other Muslim countries.

The leader of the Palestinian Islamic group, Hamas, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, hailed the Pakistani tests as a welcome consolidation of Arab and Islamic strength