Iran condemns France's remarks as support for "Israeli crimes"

TEHRAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi condemned the recent remarks by France in support of "Zionist crimes" of Israel, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Wednesday.

"Such statements by French officials are in contradiction with the realities of the international system, the Middle East region and the Palestinians, which showed disgusting, spiteful and biased support of Paris for crimes of the Zionist regime," the report quoted Qashqavi as saying on Tuesday.

On Monday, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christine Fages condemned the remarks by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who called Israel a "Zionist cancer," saying such remarks are "profoundly shocking."

The Iranian spokesman said such remarks contradict France's consistent stances on the Palestinian issue and "prove open support of French officials for the Zionist crimes."