Iran criticizes Israel, U.N. and U.S.A

TEHRAN, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar-Salehi said the Non-Aligned Movement must play a more prominent role in international and regional relations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the movement in Tehran Sunday, Salehi said his country, which assumes presidency, will aim to strengthen unity among member states and turn the 120 member-state movement into an effective body. He slammed Israel, saying it was the "gravest threat" to regional and international peace. He also criticized unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran.

The theme for this year's summit is "Lasting Peace through Joint Global Governance."

"The tragedy of Palestine, as a major source of anger and desperation that is felt throughout the Muslim world, lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict. ... The Zionist regime's criminal acts against the Palestinians and other peoples in the region are the gravest threat posed to regional as well as international peace and security," Salehi said in the speech published in full by the Tehran Times.

Salehi called on member states to play a more active role in destroying weapons of mass destruction and said Israel should be forced to respect the non-proliferation of WMD's. Israel's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is a hurdle to the globalization of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, he said.

Iran's nuclear program is a peaceful one, he insisted, adding Iran does not seek "confrontation" and said there should be no double standard.

The summit opened with a two-day meeting of senior officials, which ended Monday, a ministerial meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, and an open summit Thursday and ends Friday.