Connect to share and comment

Ahmadinejad says Iran does not need atomic bomb

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday defended his country's controversial nuclear programme while on a tour of west Africa, calling it peaceful and arguing that Tehran has no use for an atomic bomb. Speaking during a visit to Benin, the first stop on a three-nation tour, Ahmadinejad called nuclear energy a "divine gift" providing affordable electricity. "They accuse Iran, like all nations that seek to rapidly find their way out of the current domination," the Iranian leader said through an interpreter in a speech at a Benin university.

Ahmadinejad heads to Africa with energy topping agenda

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embarked Sunday on a tour of the African states of Benin, Ghana and Niger, with energy deals high on the agenda, his office said. "During our trip to Benin, Niger and Ghana, we will try to not only consolidate ties, but also take long strides in boosting comprehensive ties," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying before leaving Tehran. "Different memorandums of understanding in the fields of energy, commerce, culture, tourism and health will be signed," the Iranian leader said without giving any details on the deals.

Iran cleric says Ahmadinejad Chavez remarks 'heresy'

A senior Iranian cleric accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of "heresy" on Friday by saying in his tribute to late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez that he would be resurrected with Jesus Christ. "Those comments on Chavez's return with Christ were heresy," Ayatollah Ahmad Janati, the hardline chief of the influential Guardians Council, told worshippers at Friday prayers in Tehran. Janati was referring to comments by Ahmadinejad on March 6 in which he called Chavez a "martyr" who would "return, along with the righteous Jesus and the perfect human."

Iran's Ahmadinejad heads for Chavez funeral

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was travelling to Caracas on Thursday for the funeral of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, state television reported. Ahmadinejad "will shortly leave Tehran for Venezuela to attend the funeral" of Chavez who died on Tuesday, the broadcaster announced in the early afternoon. Friday's funeral of the firebrand leftist will be attended by several heads of state from Latin America and wider afield. On Thursday, mourners filed past his open casket as he lay in state in the capital.

Iran's Ahmadinejad mourns 'martyr' Chavez

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid tribute to late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on Wednesday saying he had fallen "martyr" to a "suspect illness". Ahmadinejad hailed his close ally for "serving the people of Venezuela and defending human and revolutionary values." "He finally died from a suspect illness and he gave his life... to the elevation of his country and the freedom of his people," Ahmadinejad said in a message of condolences to Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

URGENT ¥¥¥ Iran's Ahmadinejad mourns 'martyr Chavez

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid tribute to late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on Wednesday saying he had fallen "martyr" to a "suspect illness". Ahmadinejad hailed his close ally for "serving the people of Venezuela and defending human and revolutionary values." "He finally died from a suspect illness and he gave his life... to the elevation of his country and the freedom of his people," Ahmadinejad said in a message of condolences to Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Iran's Ahmadinejad mourns 'martyr' Chavez

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid tribute to late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on Wednesday saying he had fallen "martyr" to a "suspect illness". Ahmadinejad also hailed his close ally for "serving the people of Venezuela and defending human and revolutionary values." "He finally died from a suspect illness and he gave his life... to the elevation of his country and the freedom of his people," Ahmadinejad said in a message of condolences to Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Iran's Khamenei says irked by officials infighting

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday expressed disappointment at intense public infighting between senior officials, calling for "calm" amid Western economic sanctions. On February 3, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and parliament speaker Ali Larijani indulged in a verbal duel in the assembly during the impeachment of a minister which was broadcast live by state media. "This is bad. This is wrong and against the law and sharia (Islamic law) and morals, and violates the rights of people," said Khamenei in remarks reported by state television on Saturday.

UPDATE 2-Iran rejects Western pressure on revolution anniversary

* Ahmadinejad would talk if enemies stop "pointing the gun" * He is more conciliatory than Supreme Leader * Does not have authority over nuclear talks * National celebrations come after public corruption allegations (Adds background, quotes on domestic dispute) By Yeganeh Torbati

Iran's president defies supreme leader to safeguard his future

* Ahmadinejad's accuses rival despite warning from Khamenei * Supreme leader said considers pre-election rows treason * Revolutionary Guard says Ahmadinejad becoming a threat * Ahmadinejad not running, wants to protect himself, allies By Babak Dehghanpisheh BEIRUT, Feb 8 - It was an extraordinary moment in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Syndicate content