GENEVA – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Israel of being the “most cruel and racist regime,” sparking a walkout Monday by angry Western diplomats at a U.N. racism conference.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his tirade against Israel during a global racism conference. Ban says the Iranian leader used his speech “to accuse, divide and even incite,” directly opposing the aim of the meeting.

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