Ahmadinejad urges UN Security Council to take action over UK riots

August 10, 2011 - 20:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the UN Security Council to take action over the rioting in Britain, arguing it was hypocritical in its reaction to such events.

Ahmadinejad, whose government is under international sanction for its controversial nuclear program and has been condemned by the Western countries such as Britain for its handling of protests and dissent, also called on British officials to listen to the demands of their people.

"The UN is silent. Human rights bodies are silent," Ahmadinejad said on state radio following a Cabinet meeting. "If one percent of this happens in countries that oppose the West, they scream until they are hoarse."

"Why is the Security Council silent?" he said, also questioning its willingness to take action directed at one of its five veto-wielding permanent members.

The unrest in Britain began Saturday, August 6 after an initially peaceful protest over a police shooting in a London neighborhood turned violent. It has since spread to other cities in the country.

In comments directed at Britain's leadership, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Ahmadinejad said the officials should "stand by their own people."

"They should change their attitude, change their management and deal with their own people instead of intervening in others' affairs," he said, referring to Britain's role in Afghanistan, Iraq and its participation in the NATO airstrikes on Libya.

"They were claiming that they are a role model and advocator of freedom, human rights and democracy, but what behavior do they apply in dealing with their own people," said Ahmadinejad, AP reported.