TEHRAN – Iran warned Libyans on Sunday not to trust Western powers launching air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi’s troops, saying their aim was to gain neo-colonial control over the oil-rich nation.
Tehran has voiced support for the uprising against the Libyan leader, part of what it considers an “Islamic awakening” in the Arab world. But as a long-time foe of the United States which in recent years has invaded and stationed troops in two of its neighbours, Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran expressed deep suspicion over Western military intervention in Libya.
“The records and the actions of the dominant countries in occupying oppressed countries means their intentions in such moves are always in doubt,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by students’ news agency ISNA.
