Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (L) attend a meeting with the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-nations in Yekaterinburg on June 16, 2009. Iran's under-fire President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad joined an array of world leaders at a regional summit in Russia, defiantly declaring that the age of empires had ended.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attends a session of a summit gathering the leaders of the five Caspian Sea littoral nations, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, on November 18, 2010 in Baku. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stressed the importance of Iran keeping to a peaceful nuclear programme on November 18 in his first meeting with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad since a breakdown in ties. Once a reliable backer of Tehran throughout the nuclear standoff, Moscow has scrapped a controversial missile deal with Iran and backed United Nations sanctions against the country, which Russia now admits is nearing the ability to develop a nuclear bomb.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at the state-run Lebanese University before receiving an honorary doctorate in political science in Beirut on October 14, 2010 during the second day of the hardline leader's high-profile visit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attends a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was heavily damaged during the 2006 Israeli invasion, on the second day of the Iranian leader's first official visit to Lebanon, where he has received a hero's welcome. Next to Ahmadinejad are Shiite Muslim Amal MP Ali Bazze (L) and Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, a Hezbollah chief in southern Lebanon (R).

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C), flanked by bodyguards, is surrounded by supporters trying to shake hands and take pictures of him on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves before addressing a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes the V-sign for victory after addressing a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was heavily damaged during the 2006 Israeli invasion, on the second day of the Iranian leader's first official visit to Lebanon, where he has received a hero's welcome. Standing next to Ahmadinejad are (from L to R): Shiite Muslim cabinet minister Ali Abdallah, Amal movement MP Ali Bazze, Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad (L) and Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, a Hezbollah chief in southern Lebanon (2nd R).

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gestures on June 8, 2010 after a family photo during the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Istanbul, focusing on issues, such as nuclear disarmement, peaceful use of nuclear energy and ways to boost confidence-building measures in Asia.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2nd R) views the unveiling on the Cyrus Cylinder, at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran on September 12, 2010. The artefact dating from the 6th century BC has been returned on loan to Iran by the British Museum in London under tight security measures. It will be displayed at the museum for four months.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during an official meeting in Tehran, on October 18, 2010, during a one-day visit in a bid to win support for his premiership after an inconclusive March 7 general election.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) and the head of the Iran's presidential office, Esfandyar Rahim Mashaie (L) view the Cyrus Cylinder, at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran on September 12, 2010. The artefact dating from the 6th century BC has been returned on loan to Iran by the British Museum in London under tight security measures. It will be displayed at the museum for four months.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is greeted by the father of ssasinated Hezbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh (R) upon his arrival at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C-R) gestures to the crowd as he arrives at the state-run Lebanese University to recieve an honorary doctorate in political science in Beirut on October 14, 2010 during the second day of the hardline leader's high-profile visit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attends a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was heavily damaged during the 2006 Israeli invasion, on the second day of the Iranian leader's first official visit to Lebanon, where he has received a hero's welcome.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves before addressing a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad receives on October 14, 2010 the shield of the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes the V-sign for victory after addressing a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was heavily damaged during the 2006 Israeli invasion, on the second day of the Iranian leader's first official visit to Lebanon, where he has received a hero's welcome. Standing next to Ahmadinejad is Shiite Muslim Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad (L).

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) shakes hands with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during an official meeting in Tehran on October 18, 2010, during a one-day visit in a bid to win support for his premiership after an inconclusive March 7 general election.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) shakes hands with his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa during a welcoming ceremony in Tehran on December 6, 2008. Correa is an official visit to Iran, the first ever of a leader from the small South American nation. Ecuador, which like Iran is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has little trade with the Islamic republic. But shares with it an opposition to US government policies, even if some critics see that as a poor basis for closer diplomatic relations.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010 where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) attends the opening of the Millennium Development Goals summit on September 20, 2010 in New York City. Nearly 140 world leaders will attend the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years. This week will also see the annual United Nations General Assembly convene.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to the media prior to a meeting at the presidency in Tehran, on May 18, 2010. Iranian officials said that they expect a swift response from world powers on an accord to ship much of its low enriched uranium to Turkey, as UN Security Council member China backed the swap deal.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C-R) gestures to the crowd as he arrives at the state-run Lebanese University to recieve an honorary doctorate in political science in Beirut on October 14, 2010 during the second day of the hardline leader's high-profile visit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) waves during a mass rally on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was heavily damaged during the 2006 Israeli invasion, on the second day of the Iranian leader's first official visit to Lebanon, where he has received a hero's welcome. Standing next to Ahmadinejad are Shiite Muslim Amal movement MP Ali Bazze (2nd L) and Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, a Hezbollah chief in southern Lebanon (R).

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2nd R) receives on October 14, 2010 the shield of the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) and officials from Iran's atomic organization applaud during a ceremony to mark the National Nuclear Day in Tehran on April 9, 2010. Ahmadinejad said that any threats from the West against Iran will meet with more determination and reiterated that his government was not seeking an 'inhuman' atomic bomb. The hardline president, whose comments came a day after China joined five other major powers in agreeing to further talks on a new round of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, gave instructions on February 7 for the Islamic republic to begin enriching uranium to the 20 percent level required for a Tehran medical research reactor.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tours an exhibition on laser technology in Tehran on February 7, 2010. Ahmadinejad ordered Iran's atomic chief to enrich uranium to 20 percent, in a fresh challenge to world powers days after appearing to accept a UN-drafted nuclear fuel deal.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during his press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010, where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) chats with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki during a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (not seen) at the latter's residence in Baghdad on March 3, 2008. Ahmadinejad left for home this afternoon after ending his historic two-day Iraq trip where he called for the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces from Iraq.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves upon his arrival to place a wreath of flowers at the Statue of Martyrs in central Beirut on October 13, 2010, at the start of his two-day visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lays a wreath of flowers at the Statue of Martyrs in central Beirut on October 13, 2010, at the start of his two-day visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves before addressing a mass rally organised in his honour in the southern suburbs of Beirut on October 13, 2010 at the start of his two-day controversial visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wears the doctoral robes as he recieves an honorary doctorate in political science from the state-run Lebanese University in Beirut on October 14, 2010 during the second day of the hardline leader's high-profile visit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes the V for 'victory' sign as he stands on stage to receive an honorary doctorate in political science from the state-run Lebanese University in Beirut on October 14, 2010 during the second day of the hardline leader's high-profile visit.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C), flanked by bodyguards, is surrounded by supporters trying to shake hands with him on October 14, 2010 in the southern Lebanese biblical village of Qana, which has earned a grim place in history after being targeted by Israeli shelling that killed 105 civilians who had sought shelter at a UN base in 1996 during the Jewish state's 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive on Lebanon. Ahmadinejad predicted on the second day of his first visit to Lebanon the demise of arch-foe Israel from Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, just miles from the border of the Jewish state.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes the V-sign for victory as he stands between his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) after the Islamic republic inked a nuclear fuel swap deal in Tehran on May 17, 2010 under which 1,200 kilos of low enriched uranium will be shipped to Turkey, potentially ending a standoff with world powers gearing for new sanctions against Tehran. The agreement, under which Iran will in turn receive nuclear fuel for a Tehran reactor, was signed in the Iranian capital by the foreign ministers of Iran, Brazil and Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) shakes hands with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during an official meeting in Tehran October 18, 2010, during a one-day visit to Iran in a bid to win support for his premiership after an inconclusive March 7 general election.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010 where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010 where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad smiles during a press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010 where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holds a press conference in Tehran on November 29, 2010 where he said that Iran's right to enrich uranium and produce (nuclear) fuel is 'non-negotiable', as six major powers prepare to hold a new round of talks with Iran on its nuclear programme next month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to the media prior to a meeting at the presidency in Tehran, on May 18, 2010. Iranian officials said that they expect a swift response from world powers on an accord to ship much of its low enriched uranium to Turkey, as UN Security Council member China backed the swap deal.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves upon his arrival at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives at Beirut's international airport on October 13, 2010, for a controversial visit that will take him close to the border with arch-foe Israel and seen as a boost for key ally the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reviews the honour guard upon his arrival to place a wreath of flowers at the Statue of Martyrs in central Beirut on October 13, 2010, at the start of his two-day visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lays a wreath of flowers at the Statue of Martyrs in central Beirut on October 13, 2010, at the start of his two-day visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses a mass rally organised in his honour in the southern suburbs of Beirut on October 13, 2010 at the start of his two-day controversial visit to Lebanon which is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in the east Mediterranean country. Arabic and Farsi writing reads: 'Welcome'.