Washington: Asserting that the risk of nuclear terrorism persists and continues to evolve, US President Barack Obama on Friday said no terrorist group has succeeded in obtaining a nuclear weapon or a dirty bomb made of radioactive materials because of coordinated efforts.
"But we know that al Qaeda has long sought nuclear materials, individuals in attacks in Paris and Brussels, video tapes they saw manager who works at a Belgian nuclear facility. I saw the hazard in use of mustard gas in Syria and Iraq. No doubt, if these mad men ever got their hands on a nuclear bomb and nuclear material they most certainly will use it to kill many innocent people as possible," Obama told a gathering of world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit here.
"We have measurably reduced the risk of nuclear terrorism, but it persists and continues to evolve. Fortunately because of our coordinated efforts, no terrorist group has succeeded in obtaining a nuclear weapon or a dirty bomb made of radioactive materials," he added.
President Obama, however, welcomed the 102 countries for ratifying a key treaty - 'Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material'.
"I am pleased to announce that after so many years of work, 102 nations have now ratified a key treaty - the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. As a result, we expect that the treaty will enter into a force in coming weeks, giving us more tools that we need to work together in the event of theft of nuclear material or a attack on the nuclear facility," he said.
The US President said that the terrorists would find it harder to obtain nuclear material thanks to the treaty ratified by 102 nations.
"Several nations are here have made extra efforts in recent weeks to complete this process in time for this summit and I want to thank you very much for helping us to get over line," he added.
