"The international community must address the profound causes of this phenomenon (nuclear activity by terrorists) by resolving international and regional conflicts and the fight against injustices, frustrations and misery," the Moroccan representative at the Rabat conference, Omar Hilale, said in remarks published by Morocco's MAP news agency.

The two-day meeting is the first held by the "Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism" -- jointly launched by US President George W. Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at July's G8 summit in Saint Petersburg.

It gathers representatives from the G8 nations (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States), along with Australia, China, Kazakhstan and Turkey.

Rabat has observer status at the gathering, aimed to improve the control and protection of nuclear and radioactive substances and nuclear installations to prevent nuclear terrorism. The International Atomic Energy Agency is also present.

In his address, Hilale called on the international community to work jointly to boost sustainable development, dialogue among nations and domestic democracy-building initiatives.

Warning against "uncontrolled nuclear material and the existence of a black market of these techniques and materials for twin purposes," the Moroccan official also urged states to cooperate closely against "this world threat without limits of devastation and cruelty."

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