Ahmadinejad seeks scientific expertise

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defied world pressure over his country's nuclear programme and promised Iran would continue to advance technologically.

In a speech at the Iranian Club in Dubai, Ahmadinejad called on other nations to offer their 'scientific expertise' to help Iran.

He also criticised the West's 'merciless' attitude in Iraq but praised the strength of Iran's relationship with the UAE.

He said: "In nuclear energy we have improved a lot. Nobody would give us the equipment but our children built the equipment by themselves without anybody's help."

In what could be interpreted as a thinly-veiled reference to his country's nuclear ambitions, Ahmadinejad said outside help was vital for further technological progress.

"Industry has improved a lot in Iran in recent years but we are still at the beginning. Those with industrial expertise have to help us. Those with scientific expertise have to help us," he said.

He criticised 'Marxists', whose societies he said were founded on 'lies', before accusing 'capitalists' of 'arrogance and selfishness'.

Ahmadinejad said the large Iranian population in the UAE meant that prosperity here was good for his compatriots.

"The relationship between Iran and the UAE is friendly and has improved a lot. We are happy to see the UAE has developed. If the UAE has developed it means Iran has developed," he said.