Tehran summit takes aim at US, West
IRAN: Leaders from many of the world's developing states will gather
in Tehran starting from today for a two-day summit expected to sharply
attack the policies of the United States and other top developed
countries.
Host nation Iran, in particular, is hailing the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) meeting as a blow to Western efforts to isolate it over its
disputed nuclear activities.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will open the summit with a
speech to more than 30 heads of state or government, including Egypt's
new president, Mohamed Morsi, and the leaders of India, Pakistan,
Lebanon, Sudan and Zimbabwe, according to organisers. North Korea,
Venezuela and Syria -- all Iranian allies -- will be represented by
senior officials but not their top leaders.
Key issues on the agenda include: a condemnation of Western sanctions
on Iran and other NAM countries, a new push to quell the conflict in
Syria, and a reaffirmation of calls to make UN decision-making more
globally democratic.
Support for the creation of a Palestinian state, and discussion of
terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and human rights will also feature,
according to documents considered by foreign ministers and experts
earlier this week in preparation. AFP
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