Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday slammed NATO's role in Libya and said the United States -- and all other countries -- should stay out of the conflict in Syria, IRNA reported.
'We think it is the will of the people that should work and prevail everywhere. Justice, freedom and respect to people -- this is the right of all nations,' he said in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria.
Ahmadinejad said his views on Libya were 'not different' following the death Thursday of ousted Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. He said NATO's military campaign exacerbated the conflict and undermined the sovereignty of the nation.
Ahmadinejad also took aim at the United States, saying the country is 'hated' in the Middle East and should keep out of regional affairs, such as in Syria.
'We should respect independence and sovereignty of all nations everywhere in the world,' he said.
'We condemn killings and massacre. ... Justice dictates that nobody should kill the other. Nobody has the right to kill others -- neither the government nor the opponents. ... We are going to make greater efforts to encourage both the government of Syria and the other side and all parties to reach an understanding. There should be no interference from outside.'
Ahmadinejad said the United States should realize the 'era of colonialism is over' and review its policies, especially when it comes to pressuring the Middle East.
'We have no problems with the people of the United States. We love them,' he said, adding that his problem is with the government.
'The United States has become weaker and weaker. And now, they are hated in the region,' Ahmadinejad said. The Middle East 'should not be influenced by the pressures of the United States.'
Ahmadinejad also dismissed the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi ambassador to Washington.
'We condemn killing' 'Do we need really to kill the ambassador of a brotherly country? What is the reason and the interest behind that? We never have any intention to hurt Saudi Arabia. Do we really want to do it in the United States? And is that the way, really?', he said.
Ahmadinejad also criticized the United States' military strategies.
In light of U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement Friday that all American troops would be out of Iraq by the end of the year, Ahmadinejad said they should have left sooner.
'The Iraqi government is independent and sovereign. They should decide how to provide training for their military personnel,' Ahmadinejad said.
Asked whether Iran's involvement with Iraq will increase because of the American withdrawal, Ahmadinejad said there would be no changes.
Ahmadinejad also addressed accusations that Iran has misled the International Atomic Energy Agency, calling such claims 'lies.'
'The era of nuclear bombs is over,' Ahmadinejad said as he questioned the credibility of the agency.
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