ISLAMIC LEADERS MUST PROVE CAPABILITY IN GOVERNING COUNTRY - MINISTER

PUTRAJAYA, June 22 (Bernama) -- The leaders of Islamic nations must prove
their capability in governing, especially in handling crises and conflicts, to
ward off condemnation by the West.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, in referring to the current political
unrest in Iran, said it was the responsibility of the Islamic leaders themselves
to unite their people under one flag.

He said the various quarters that had condemned Iranian president Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's recent re-election victory should instead accept it with an open
heart as it was the Iranian people's choice.

"The Malaysian government did send a congratulatory message to Ahmadinejad
on his victory," Anifah told reporters after closing the meeting of honorary
consuls at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre Monday.

He was asked on the tendency of the western media to personally attack
Ahmedinejad for his conflict of opinions with the West over Israel.


Ahmedinejad has also been strongly condemned over Iran's continuing nuclear
programme although the United Nations had imposed sanctions on the country.

Anifah said Ahmedinejad's re-election reflected the majority wishes and
voices of the Iranian people, hence other countries had no right to interfere or
condemn the election results.

"As a country based on the democratic system, Malaysia accepts Ahmedinejad's
election victory but the government does not intend to exhort or pressure other
countries to do the same," he added.

-- BERNAMA