Ahmadinejad: No place for US, Israel n new ME

LONDON, August 17 (IranMania) - Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran wants the establishment of a new Middle East without the presence of the US and the occupying Israeli regime.

Addressing a public gathering during his 18th provincial tour since taking office, Ahmadinejad noted that those who boast of establishing a new Middle East are opposed to freedom and independence of countries and this has been clearly witnessed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, IRNA reported.

The chief executive noted that the US and Britain are not competent to be members of the UN Security Council.

“These countries have disgraced the UN Security Council through their uncalculated moves and should have no place in the council,“ he said.

He further said that the UNSC should have fulfilled its duty of establishing an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, but due to the influence of the US and Britain it could not carry out its task and prevent the murder of defenseless people of Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad declared that the freedom-seeking people of Iran will never succumb to the bullying policies of the West regarding the nuclear dossier.

“In the case of Iran’s nuclear program, our views are based on the legitimate rights of Iranians and the rule of law, and we will not retreat by any means,“ he said.

He also noted that the progress of Ardebil province directly impacts the advancement of Iran.

Ahmadinejad emphasized that his government is determined to tap the vast potentials of the province in the fields of agriculture, livestock breeding, tourism and industry.

“Construction of railroads and petrochemical plants is among the government’s measures for the province,“ he said.