Peres calls for global coalition against Iran

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres on Saturday called for a global coalition against Iran must be formed, Israel's newspaper Ha'aretz reported on its website.

Peres told reporters here that Israel should improve the relationships with other Arab nations so as to oppose Iran.

The vice premier made the remarks after the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel's leaders a "group of terrorists "on Friday on a radio broadcast.

"You imposed a group of terrorists ... on the region," Ahmadinejad said, addressing the U.S. and its allies. "It is in your own interest to distance yourself from these criminals... This is an ultimatum. Don't complain tomorrow," said Ahmadinejad.

Peres retorted that Israel should regard Iranian President Ahmadinejad as it would Hitler.

Moreover, Ahmadinejad warned Europe that it was stirring up hatred in the Middle East by supporting Israel and said it "may get hurt" if anger in the region boils over.

Following Iranian president's remarks, Ahmadinejad was also condemned by the United Kingdom and France Friday.

In the meantime, the U.S. has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, a charge categorically denied by Tehran, which says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Source: Xinhua