NEW YORK — Abdullah Al-Muallami, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, blamed Iran for supporting sectarian militias and trying to replicate the Hezbollah model wherever it gets an opportunity. While taking part in an open debate on "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue," at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he said that the criminal regimes in Iran and Syria are trying to cash in on the Palestinian cause. He stressed that the way to peace in the Middle East is ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state as per the 1967 borders. Al-Muallami also emphasized that Saudi Arabia is ready to participate in any international efforts to eliminate terrorism. Lambasting Iran's malicious designs aimed at destabilizing the region, the Saudi envoy demanded Iran to desist from such irresponsible behavior. "We hoped that the international nuclear agreement with Iran would put an end to Iran's nuclear program, and that it would push Iran to give up its ambitions towards nuclear armament, as well as bring about a change in its behavior with its neighbors and the international community through renouncing terrorism and violence, besides showing respect to the sovereignty and unity of the neighboring countries." "However, we are still witnessing daily signs of Iran's disregard of all these values and principles and negligence of diplomatic norms. Even the headquarters of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran had become targets of aggression and sabotage." Al-Muallami criticized that Iran continues to support the sectarian militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen besides its interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom and Bahrain. "We demand that Iran must stop this irresponsible behavior and respect the international community's laws and customs to achieve the aspirations of its people in achieving development and prosperity instead of seeking to destabilize (the region) and supporting terrorism everywhere," he said.
