Egypt walks out of nuclear talks in Geneva, citing slow progress toward nuclear-free Mideast

GENEVA – Egypt has walked out of a round of global nuclear talks, saying other nations are not acting quickly enough to establish the Middle East as a zone free of nuclear weapons.

A statement from Egypt's foreign ministry says the nation ended its participation in two weeks of Geneva talks in protest, because it "can't wait forever" for the zone to be created.

The foreign ministry's statement Monday explained that the walkout was meant to send a message to the world that it can longer accept what it considers to be a lack of seriousness toward the issue.

Ahead of the talks to prevent the spread of nuclear arms, due to run through this week, the U.N. Security Council's five major powers had called for establishing a nuclear-free Middle East.