UAE to try man over foiled zirconium re-export deal

DUBAI, March 12 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates will try an Arab man for involvement in a deal to illegally trade in zirconium, a metal used in nuclear reactors, the official WAM news agency reported on Wednesday.

"Foiling the deal is an indication of the large effort exerted by the UAE to keep the region free of weapons of mass destruction and preserve its position as a global trade hub," WAM said.

It did not identify the origin or destination of the 240-kg (529-lb) shipment of the metal in a report based on remarks by Dubai's Prosecutor General Isam Humaidan.

"A suspect of an Arab nationality had tried to facilitate the sale of zirconium by importing it for agents in the country for re-export purposes," WAM said.

Dubai, one of seven members of the U.S.-allied UAE federation, is a regional trade hub with a vibrant re-export trade industry mainly to Gulf neighbours including Iran.

The UAE brought in a law in August to control the export of military equipment or dual-use items, following U.S. calls for measures to stop sensitive goods reaching Iran.

Dubai is situated across a short stretch of water from the Islamic Republic which is locked in a stand-off with the West over its nuclear programme. The United States accuses Iran of planning to build bombs but Tehran says it is aimed at generating electricity.

WAM did not say when the shipment was seized. (Reporting by Inal Ersan)