Palestine’s membership in UNESCO, symbol of int'l support: spokesman

Tehran, Nov 1, IRNA – Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that membership of Palestine in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was a sign of international support for Palestinians’ rights. Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, the spokesman criticized the US and certain European states’ opposition to the joining of Palestine to UNESCO. “The US should know that its blind and one-sided support for the Zionist regime was no longer important for the world public opinion,” Mehmanparast said. Palestine has been granted full membership of the UNESCO Monday night after 107 out of 173 members in attendance voted in favor of its accession, with 14 against including the US, Germany, Canada and the Zionist regime. Mehmanparast advised the US and its allies to 'no longer disgrace yourselves' by supporting the Zionists. More in his press briefing, the spokesman said that Iran would take part in an upcoming meeting in Turkey on Afghanistan's security. Holding such meetings should result in restoration of the violated rights of the people of Afghanistan, Mehmanparast stressed. “Tehran will attend the meeting under two conditions,” said the spokesman adding, “The first condition is that such meetings should be run by Afghan officials. And the second condition is that the role and status of regional states should be clearly defined in these meetings.” Mehmanparast said that Kabul has officially asked Tehran to participate in the meeting which is scheduled for November 2./end