Ahmadinejad backs Palestinian rights

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Palestinians are the sole authority to decide for their fate and that options prescribed on their behalf will surely prove ineffective.

The Iranian chief executive made the remarks in a Monday meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on the sidelines of UN General Assembly’s annual session in New York.

Referring to the long-running Palestinian struggle against occupation of their land, President Ahmadinejad stressed that “the issue of Palestine is the world’s top priority and indeed a complex one.”

He added that despite various US-led talks and plans, the problem remains unresolved because the Palestinian people have not really been taken into consideration.

“The time has come for US and some Western countries to rectify their stance towards Palestinian issues and give due recognition to the rights of people of Palestine,” he went on to say.

The Greek premier, for his part, lauded Iran’s role in establishing regional and global peace and security, adding that “all nations should play a constructive role in establishing global peace.”

The two countries’ officials exchanged views on global and regional issues as well as ways to expand mutual ties.

“Greece welcomes bolstering relations with the Islamic Republic in various spheres,” Papandreou stressed.

President Ahmadinejad is scheduled to address the 65th session of UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

The focus of this year’s General Assembly has been described as the Millennium Development Goals.