Iranian President Wants Lebanon Cease-Fire

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gestures in Dushanbe, Tajikstan Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday opened an Iranian-financed tunnel improving connections between Tajikistan's north and the capital region. The opening came amid Ahmadinejad's two-day visit to the impoverished former Soviet Central Asian republic, which also is to include a meeting with visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (Misha Japaridze - AP)

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for a cease-fire in Lebanon and criticized U.S. policy in the Middle East on Wednesday, saying Washington wants to "recarve the map" of the region with Israel's help.

Ahmadinejad's nation is a major backer of Hezbollah and a sworn enemy of Israel, but he denied that Tehran provides military support to the militant group, saying Iran only supports it politically and morally.

"Those who say that we provide military support for Hezbollah are lying. That is the way for America to cover up its failures," he said, according to a translation of his remarks from Farsi.

However, more than 60 Iranian volunteers set off from Iran on Wednesday in what they called a holy war against Israeli forces in Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad said a cease-fire must precede talks and blamed Israel for the hostilities, demanding it compensate Lebanon and apologize for its actions. He also denied U.S. claims that Iran provides military support for Hezbollah.

"We are calling for a cease-fire in Lebanon. We are against the war, against occupation," he told reporters after meetings with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov and Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a two-day visit to the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan.

Ahmadinejad demanded Israel compensate Lebanon and apologize for its actions.

He suggested the hostilities fit in with what he called a U.S. effort to influence the future of the Middle East. "The United States wants to recarve the map of the Middle East, acting through Israel. The United States is conducting its international policy through deceit, money and treachery," he said.

In a clear reference to the United States, he also warned against any attempt to attack Iran, which Washington believes is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The Bush administration has stressed it wants to resolve the issue through diplomacy but will not rule out any course of action.

"If they attack Iran, they know our country, our people," he said. "They should think better before doing that. We can defend ourselves. Iran is a great world power which can protect its interests and its integrity. Only silly people would think about attacking Iran."

Ahmadinejad and Rakhmonov signed a joint statement Tuesday declaring "that the use of force against Palestine and Lebanon is unacceptable." At that time, they also called for a cease-fire and urged international organizations to seek the swiftest possible settlement of the conflict.

Organizers said the Iranian volunteers are carrying no weapons, and it was not clear whether Turkey would allow them to pass.

The volunteers _ ranging from teenagers to grandfathers _ plan to join about 200 others on the way to the Turkish border, which they hope to cross Thursday. They plan to reach Lebanon via Syria on the weekend.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, would not say Wednesday if Turkey would allow them to cross. Iranians, however, can enter Turkey without a visa and stay for three months.

Iran says it will not send regular forces to aid Hezbollah, but apparently it will not attempt to stop volunteers.

During their meeting, Ahmadinejad, Rakhmonov and Karzai discussed regional security and prospects for economic cooperation and signed agreements on combating drug trafficking and terrorism as well as bolstering trade and other economic ties.

They agreed to meet annually, with next year's gathering in Kabul.

"Links between our three nations are rooted deep in history. We have the same religion, similar customs and interests, and we also face the same threats," Ahmadinejad said.

Karzai said Afghanistan wants to expand cooperation with the other two nations. "We need it very much," he said.

Karzai said Afghanistan also condemned the military action in Lebanon and favors a diplomatic solution. "This tragedy must end. We suffered through the horrors of war, and the pain of the Lebanese people is our pain," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, Ahmadinejad opened an Iranian-financed tunnel improving connections between impoverished Tajikistan's north and the capital region. Iran has sought closer ties with the former Soviet republics in Central Asia since they gained independence in 1991.

Tehran has focused mostly on transport and infrastructure projects and restoring historically close cultural ties. The three-mile tunnel cost $39 million, of which Iran provided $31 million, including a $10 million grant.

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Associated Press writer Brian Murphy in Tehran and Parvina Khamidova in Tajikistan contributed to this report.