Asefi criticizes Blair for unwarranted statement about Islamic values

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi yesterday criticized British Prime Minister Tony Blair for unwarranted statement about Islamic values in line with ideological support for Israeli state terrorism.

In a statement to a conference in Los Angeles, Blair described Israeli state terrorism as being of progressive nature compared with resistance movement of Lebanon and Palestine vis-a-vis Israeli expansionism.

Blair maintained British unconditional support for Israeli military actions against Lebanese civilians linking it to a conflict between the Islamic and Western values.

"Mr. Blair has not the right to comment on Islamic concepts in desperation for misportraying the reality and justifying the British unethical policy of rendering unconditional support for Israeli campaign against the Muslim nations," Asefi said.

Asefi held Blair accountable for Israeli war crimes in both Lebanon and Palestine killing children, women and civilians and said that it is crystal clear that both US and Britain have abetted Israel in its crimes against humanity.

"Of course, as long as Israeli terrorists enjoy the blessings of Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush, the Middle East will not attain sustainable peace and security," he said.

He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has proved interest in peace and security in Afghanistan and Iraq and believes that presence of the occupation forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has destabilized the Middle East.

Read: Understanding Tony Blair's Desperation.