Iran launches scathing attack on US

Launching a scathing attack on the United States, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the US and its western allies were 'abusing' the United Nations to deny Tehran its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday night, Ahmadinejad questioned the United States' right to criticize his country's 'peaceful nuclear' programme while itself maintaining its nuclear arsenal and with its 'bleak record' of using them.

That is the double standard, he said from the same rostrum from which American President George W Bush a few hours earlier had accused the Iranian leadership of squandering resources on the nuclear pursuit, which Washington and its allies maintain is aimed a making nuclear weapons and hence must be curbed.

His address held out no hope for Iran suspending its uranium enrichment programme which the Security Council wants it to abandon on the pain of unspecified threat with the United States pressing for sanctions to force it to do so.

"The abuse of the Security Council, as an instrument of threat and coercion, is indeed a source of grave concern," Ahmadinejad said in his presentation, which comes even as the Council is expected to hold a high-level meeting

sometime this week to consider what action should be taken in view of its refusal to comply with the demand.

Russia and China are opposed to any kind of sanctions but diplomats say the Council is expected to consider at least prohibition of sale of material, which could be used in Tehran nuclear programme.

The United States, which is pressing for touch sanctions, is also expected to seek travel ban on Iran's top officials. Stressing Tehran's commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to which it is a party, Ahmadinejad asserted that Iranian nuclear programme is 'transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eye of the United Nations' inspectors.'

Speaking about Palestine, he was sharply critical of 'blanket and unwarranted' support by the West for Israel when democratically elected Palestinian ministers were 'abducted.'

Describing Israel as a 'constant source' of threat to the Middle East region, he said the United States is incapable of establishing security in Iraq and as a result scores of people die each day.

"Where can people of Iraq seek refuge and from whom can the people of Iraq seek justice," he asked. He also sought to know as to which UN organ can take action should the United States or the United Kingdom commit aggression.