Iran urges role in Syria • TEHRAN, iran — Iran’s supreme leader said Friday that developing nations have a greater right than the U.S. or NATO to intervene in Syria, signaling an effort to lead a diplomatic push over efforts to resolve the crisis.
The comments came a day after Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi embarrassed the Islamic Republic by blasting Syria during a speech at the summit of the Nonaligned Movement, a grouping of about 120 nations.
The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met Friday with Syria’s prime minister, Wael Nader al-Halqi, and Damascus’ delegation to the conference.
“There is a proxy war against the Syrian government, on behalf of some governments led by the U.S. and some other powers with the objective of meeting the Zionist regime’s (Israeli) interests and inflicting a blow to resistance in the region,” Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website.
Reporter abducted • WASHINGTON — The State Department says it’s concerned about the welfare of an American journalist reportedly detained in Syria while covering the fighting there. Spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Friday the U.S. is trying to confirm reports that freelance reporter Austin Tice is being held.
Denver Post wire services
