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03/10/2006:

"Congress of Arab parties voices support for Iran's nuclear right"

The fourth session of the General Conference of Arab Parties here Tuesday voiced support for Iran's right to acquire peaceful nuclear technology.

Secretary-General of the Congress of Arab Parties Abdul Aziz al-Seyyed told reporters at a press conference held at the end of the three-day session that Iran was being targeted by big powers because it was a regional power with policies that did not please these powers.

Arab countries treat Iran as a Muslim brother state, the official said, and added that Arab states desired good relations with members of the Islamic world. "And that is why we are trying to establish sustainable relations with Iran."
irna.ir


Sabotage not ruled out after Iran pipeline blaze
TEHRAN (AFP) - A crude oil pipeline in Iran's restive southwestern province of Khuzestan has been hit by a fire, state media said, with officials not ruling out the possibility of sabotage.

Local oil official Abdolreza Asadi said the pipeline linking the city of Ahvaz to a refinery in Abadan was ablaze overnight Tuesday, with Ahvaz fire chief Abdol Hamid Talebzadeh saying the "major fire" was put out after 10 hours.

A state television report said sabotage had not been ruled out and that an investigation was underway.

"The repair on the damaged pipeline has started and it will soon resume transporting oil," Asadi said, adding that Iran's biggest oil refinery at Abadan was in the meantime being fed by different pipelines.

In October last year, two major fires along oil and gas pipelines in Khuzestan were also reported and sabotage also deemed a possibility.