Peace pacts are not solving Mideast dilemma, Ahmadinejad tells Annan

Tehran - Middle East peace pacts will not solve the dilemma in the Middle East, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Monday told former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and several former heads of Western states. Annan and the Western dignitaries were in Tehran for attending a religious conference initiated by Ahmadinejad's opponent and ex- president Mohammad Khatami. "For 60 years the Zionist regime (Israel) has committed crimes in Palestine. The problem cannot be solved as long as Palestinian lands are occupied (and) five million Palestinians are homeless, even if all governments some and sign up peace pacts," Ahmadinejad said. Also present at the meeting were the former presidents of Ireland and Portugal, Mary Robinson and Jorge Sampaio, as well as ex-premiers of Italy and Norway, Romano Prodi and Kjell Magne... [read full story]