President Khatami Calls On EU to Isolate "Warmongering" U.S.

TEHRAN -- President Mohammad Khatami called on the European Union to isolate the United States on account of Washington's warmongering policies.

"Europe should oppose warmongers and those trying to drive the world toward war and violence under the pretext of a campaign against terrorism," Khatami told visiting Belgian Foreign Minister louis michel.

"Democratic states are threatened for their religion by warmongers who even dare to use the term crusade," Khatami said.

Michel arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for a two-day visit to prepare finalization of a trade agreement between Iran and the EU.

Michel also sought Iran's assistance for establishing peace in the Middle East, but faced the same main obstacle of definition of the term terrorism.

Iran considers anti-Israeli militia groups as "freedom fighters" against Zionist occupiers, while in the West most of those groups are widely regarded as terrorists.

Khatami reiterated Iran's view that Middle East peace could only be achieved through restoration of the rights of all Palestinians, and condemned Israel for aggression.