Iranian President to attend the racism meeting

Geneva: Iranian president, Mehmoud Ahmadenejad will attend a controversial United Nations conference against racism which starts on the 20^th of April in Geneva, a UN spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Lesotho’s Prime minister, and foreign ministers from Egypt, Nigeria, Norway and South Africa, will also attend the Durban review conference.

Just over 35 countries have confirmed their participation at the meeting according to sources.

Moreover, there are threats of boycott by the United States and various European countries

The United Nations’ Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon will open the four-day meeting, according to media reports.

This conference is a follow-up to the world conference against racism which was held in Durban, South Africa in 2001, where the United States and Israel walked out amid charges that it had become a forum for anti-Semitism.

Several Jewish groups have organized a ceremony outside the United Nations in Geneva to mark Holocaust Remembrance day on April 20.

The Iranian President, Ahmadenejad who repeatedly called the holocaust a “myth” and his anti-Israel comments were criticized by the Europe especially America, is scheduled to attend the opening of the conference on the same day.