`End American ‘bullying’, bring new world order`

Zeenews Bureau New York: Scathing America for its “bullying” and “commanding” policy, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that a new world order should emerge, putting end to “the system of empires”. Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Ahmadinejad touched upon various issues like solutions for Syria and Iran`s nuclear programme. Lashing out at the United States, Ahmadinejad alleged that America followed a policy of commanding and bullying and that it must come to an end. "Now even elementary school kids throughout the world have understood that the United States government is following an international policy of bullying. They command from behind the microphone. They command and impose their wills on how things should be done," he said. Ahmadinejad pitched for a new world order saying, “I do believe the system of empires has reached the end of the road. The world can no longer see an emperor commanding it”.

"Bullying must come to an end. Occupation must come to an end," he added. He also dismissed doubts cast on Iranian nuclear ambitions and said that Iran was able to defend itself in case of any attack. "Any nation has the right and will indeed defend herself," Ahmadinejad said speaking on CNN`s "Piers Morgan Tonight." "Why should the world be managed in such a way that an individual can allow himself to threaten a rich and deeply rooted historical, ancient country such as Iran?" he said. Speaking on Syria, he said Iran was one of nearly a dozen countries forming a new contact group to try to end the 18-month-old civil war in the strife-ridden nation. The group would include `10 or 11 countries in the Middle East and elsewhere and meet in New York "very soon," Ahmadinejad said. He said the group hopes to get government and the opposition to sit across from each other. Activists say nearly 30,000 people have died in the Syrian uprising that began in the March 2011. Earlier this month, Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi announced the formation of a four-member contact group with Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabia so far has not participated. It was unclear how Ahmadinejad`s contact group would combine with the earlier effort by Morsi or mediating efforts of international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. With Agency Inputs