'Endangered the illegitimate interests.' Ahmadinejad
Photo: AP
Ahmadinejad target of Italy murder plot, aide says
Fars news agency quotes advisor as saying Iranian president was the target of an assassination plot at the UN food summit in Rome earlier this month, as well as on his trip to Iraq in March. 'Plots in line with order given by Bush to kill Iranian leaders,' he says
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the target of an assassination plot at the UN food summit in Rome earlier this month, as well as on his trip to Iraq in March, an aide said on Monday.
Italy Visit
News agencies
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Ahmadinejad last week himself revealed the purported Iraq murder plot -- an announcement greeted with cynicism in some sections of the local press -- but this is the first time a conspiracy has been linked to his Italy trip.
"The actions of the president over the three previous years have endangered the illegitimate interests of many people in Iran and outside," said Ali Zabihi, according to the Fars news agency.
"That is why some people have thought of eliminating or assassinating the president," added Zabihi, who was described as Ahmadinejad's adviser for human resources.
"But the plots to assassinate the president in Iraq and at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) conference failed, thanks to God," he said.
'Poisoned atmosphere'
Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that enemies had planned to kidnap and kill him in Iraq but the plot was foiled after the Iranian delegation changed their travel plans.
According to Zabihi, the plots were "in line with the order given by (US President George W.) Bush to kill Iranian leaders." He did not give further details.
He even compared the plots to the very real and deadly attacks committed by the outlawed armed opposition against some of Iran's top officials in the early years after the 1979 revolution.
"Like at the start of the revolution, some people inside and outside the country have been trying to create a poisoned atmosphere to prepare an action against him."
Ahmadinejad faces a battle for re-election in summer 2009 against a background of popular discontent over rising prices and exasperation amongst some conservatives over his repeatedly provocative statements.
