Iran lambasts Rifkind's `colonialist' plan

Iran said a British proposal to set up a body to help reduce conflict in the Middle East smacked of colonialism. "Security ...and co-operation between this region's countries is no business of Britain's Foreign Minister," Ali Akbar Velayati, Malcolm Rifkind's Iranian counterpart, said. On Monday he proposed a body similar to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

"The age of British colonialism ... is over and the people of this region know best what is in their interest and they do not need foreign guardians to co-operate," Mr Velayati said. Tehran - Reuter