LONDON, Oct. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- More than 360 private companies, university departments and government organizations across the Middle East and Asia were identified to develop nuclear arsenals and other weapons of mass destruction by British intelligence, a report said on Saturday.

    The 17-page Britsih intelligence document, complied by securityservice MI5, revealed government bodies in eight countries "procuring goods and/or technology for weapons of mass destructionprogram," the Guardian said.

    MI5 warns against exports to organizations in Iran, Pakistan, India, Israel, Syria and Egypt and to beware of front companies inthe United Arab Emirates "which appears to be a hub for the trade".

    Titled "Companies and Organizations of Proliferation Concern", the confidential document also highlights concerns that companies in Malta and Cyprus could have been used as fronts for WMD programs, the newspaper said.

    "It is not suggested that the companies and organizations on the list have committed an offense under UK legislation. However, in addition to conducting non-proliferation related business, theyhave procured goods and/or technology for weapons of mass destruction programs," said the two-year-old document. Enditem