Ahmadinejad sees end of "American empire"
Wednesday, 24 Sep 2008 12:58
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells UN in New York that "American empire" is coming to its end
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has told the United Nations in New York that the "American empire" is coming to its end.
In a confrontational speech to world leaders and UN delegates the
Iranian president also blamed the west's economic problems on "bullying powers".
"The American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road, and its next rulers must limit their interference to their own borders," Mr Ahmadinejad said with reference to the last months of George Bush's administration.
The Iranian leader, who reiterated the peaceful intentions of his country's uranium enrichment programme, criticised powers for stockpiling nuclear weapons, dubbing them as "politically backwards".
But on
Israel, the "Zionist regime" in his own words, he said the Jewish state was on a "definite slope to collapse".
In an earlier speech to more than 120 world leaders, US president Mr Bush accused Iran of being among a narrowing group of states that continue to sponsor terrorism.
"Yet their numbers are growing fewer, and they're growing more isolated from the world," Mr Bush said.
Washington had hoped to discuss further sanctions against Tehran at the opening of the UN general assembly but a scheduled meeting was cancelled after Russia protested against the dialogue.