Iran drew strong backing from the world's developing countries yesterday in the tense standoff with the West over its nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's success at the Cuban summit came as the US pushed for sanctions against Tehran, which has ignored an August 31 UN deadline to stop enriching uranium.
As Iran's delegation lobbied for further support from the 118 member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, Mr Ahmadinejad met several of his counterparts on the sidelines of the conference in Havana.
He was backed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a summit of 18 developing countries (G-15) held in parallel to the non-aligned gathering. "I don't want to leave here until there is decisive support for Iran," Mr Chavez said. Earlier in the day, Mr Chavez visited his convalescing ally and mentor Fidel Castro, 80, who has not been seen in public since he underwent surgery and temporarily ceded power to his brother Raul in July. "Fidel is more alive than ever," Mr Chavez said after the visit. |