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UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran's president says the goal of extremists who are creating chaos in the Mideast is the destruction of civilization. And he says moderate leaders in the region must spearhead the fight against them.
Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roh-HAH'-nee) told the U.N. General Assembly today that the extremists are generating anti-Muslim hatred and creating fertile ground for further intervention of foreign forces.
He said if the region doesn't unite to fight extremism today, "tomorrow the world will be safe for no one."
Rouhani says the job must be entrusted "to the people in the region who can deliver." He says leaders who are neither anti-Western nor pro-Western can win the confidence of people in their countries and establish the strongest coalitions against violence.
In a wide-ranging speech, Rouhani also said a nuclear agreement is possible before the November deadline if the West wants a deal and shows flexibility. He said an agreement would create a new day for cooperation.
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153-a-13-(Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roo-HAH'-nee), speaking through interpreter, in speech to U.N. General Assembly)-"the Middle East"-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says, through an interpreter, peace and security in the Middle East can only be achieved by countries in the region without interference. (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *153 (09/25/14)££ 00:13 "the Middle East"
150-w-27-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roo-HAH'-nee), speaking through interpreter)--Iran's president says the goal of the extremists is the destruction of civilization and the rise of Islamophobia. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (25 Sep 2014)
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154-a-10-(Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roo-HAH'-nee), speaking through interpreter, in speech to U.N. General Assembly)-"will be lost"-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says, through an interpreter, a nuclear deal is possible before the November deadline, if the West is flexible. (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *154 (09/25/14)££ 00:10 "will be lost"
APPHOTO UNJD111: President Hassan Rouhani of Iran addresses the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) (25 Sep 2014)
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