Istanbul, Nov 2 (IANS): Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned here Friday that concerns about the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) are mounting with each passing day, as they pose the most serious threat to international peace and security.

Gul made the statement in his opening speech at the 60th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, "Dialogue, Disarmament, and Regional and Global Security" in Istanbul from November 1-5, Xinhua reported.

"We are clearly confronted with the threat of weapons of mass destruction spreading not only among more nations, but also non- state actors," Gul stated said while addressing participants.

He stressed that Turkey is located on the African-Eurasian axis in a geography critical for the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, adding that the country has become party to all arms-related international agreements and export control regulations.

Gul said that expectations and hopes for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction had increased with the end of the bipolar world order and first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946.

The Turkish president received Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and his accompanying delegation at Adile Sultan Palace in Turkish biggest city of Istanbul. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accompanied President Gul at the meeting.