Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday strongly criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians and US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, associating them with racism.

Iran's President President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the High Level segment of the Durban Review Conference on racism at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva April 20, 2009. [Xinhua]

Addressing a major UN anti-racism conference, Ahmadinejad said Israel had committed "crimes of aggression, carnage and other brutalities of bombardments of civilians in Gaza," while the United States and a number of Western governments "have always been supportive or silent against the disgraceful acts" of Israel.

Ahmadinejad also referred to the Israeli regime as "the most cruel and repressive racists in Palestine," calling for the end of the "Zionist domination".

The Iranian president also strongly condemned the US.-led war in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Aren't these measures a clear example of ego-entrism, racism, discrimination, or infringement upon dignity and independence of nations?" he asked.

Ahmadinejad's speech to the Durban Review Conference, which opened Monday at the UN European headquarters, was disrupted several times by protesters who shouted slogans and held placards before they were escorted out of the conference room by security persons.

A number of delegations from European countries such as France and Britain walked out of the conference as Ahmadinejad gave his speech, joining quite a few other countries that had chosen to boycott the five-day meeting out of concern that it could be used as a forum to criticize Israel and the West.

The Durban Review Conference is a follow-up meeting to the World Conference against Racism, held in 2001 in Durban, South Africa. It aims to review progress in the world's efforts to eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Addressing the opening of the review conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep regret at the boycott of the meeting by the United States, Canada, Israel, Germany, Australia, Italy, etc..

"I deeply regret that some have chosen to stand aside. I hope they will not do so for long," Ban said.

Ban defended a revised draft declaration to be adopted by the conference, despite claims by the United States that it contains "remaining concerns".

"The document before you is carefully balanced. It addressed key issues," Ban told delegates at the meeting.

"It sets the stage for concrete action in a global campaign for justice for victims of racism worldwide," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2009)