Tehran Stresses Illegitimacy of Israe

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini repeated Iran's stance in the face of the Zionist regime of Israel, stressing that Tehran views that regime as illegal, illegitimate and a usurper of the Palestinians' rights and land.

The spokesman made the remarks in reaction to the release of distorted quotations from Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki while addressing a regional meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Jordan.

Speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference here on Sunday, Hosseini expressed regret over misinterpretations and distortion of Mottaki's remarks.

He further noted Mottaki's statements about the Zionist regime and issues of the Palestinian nation at the WEF meeting as well as his address at the ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Islamabad, Pakistan, and said if media paid due attention to these statements then they could realize Mottaki's points given the abundant asymmetries existing in his remarks.

The spokesman further mentioned expatriation of the indigenous residents of Palestine and arrangement of free and democratic elections to be attended by the original and native residents of Palestine, including Muslims, Jews and Christians, to determine the type of government in that country as the only way to solve Palestine's issue, stressing that the result of such elections would receive Iran's unconditional support.

Elsewhere, he pointed to the achievements gained by the Iranian delegation at the 34th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, and said that Tehran had prepared 15 draft resolutions which were approved by the participants.

"One of these resolutions pertained to Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, which was approved by all the 57 member states. The resolution stresses the need for the use of peaceful means and precondition-free talks as the best way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue," the spokesman reminded.

He also said that as a result of Iran's efforts, participants also passed a resolution stressing Islamic solidarity in a bid to neutralize enemies' attempts and plots for sowing seeds of discord among Islamic countries and nations.

"After 38 years, the Organization of the Islamic Conference for the first time described Shiism as an official religion of Islam and stressed its strong opposition to aggressions against Shiites' lives and possessions," Hosseini continued.

He also voiced pleasure in the ratification of a resolution by the OIC meeting against the Zionist regime, condemning Tel Aviv for possessing nuclear arms.

"The resolution condemned the regime and described the weapons which the regime officials stress they possess, as a vital threat to regional and world peace and security," the foreign ministry spokesman continued.

Elsewhere, he stressed that Iran will not attend any talks with the US unless for the purpose of discussing Iraq's problems.

"We won't have any negotiations with the US until the US administration changes its policies and corrects its behavior and performance," Hosseini said.

He also denied reports that Syria is also due to attend the Iran-US talks, reminding that Iraq is the only country which will join the negotiations.

The diplomat also dismissed some reports alleging that Iran-US negotiations will be led along four major issues, and added, "The axes and quality of talks have not been specified in details yet, but the framework will be what the (Supreme) Leader has specified."

The spokesman also declined to say whether the Iranian delegation would be headed by Supreme National Security Council Undersecretary for home security Jafari, but mentioned that nothing has been specified yet.

He said that the head of the Iranian negotiating team will be appointed and announced to the public sometime before May 28.

Regarding the issue of Lebanon, he said that Iranian and Saudi Arabian foreign ministers are due to attend a meeting to exchange views about the issue of Lebanon.

Elsewhere, he said that President Ahmadinejad is due to pay a visit to Afghanistan, but added that no specific date has yet been decided fort the trip.

The official also strongly rejected an alleged letter from President Ahmadinejad to the Indian president about the issue of Kashmir, describing such reports as mere lies.

In response to questions about the upcoming meeting between Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said that the two diplomats would meet in an European country on May 31, but declined to name any specific location for the meeting.