Iranian president cautions Libyans against western plots

The western powers intend to loot Libya's wealth and resources, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned, and called on the Libyan people to keep vigilant and continue their resistance against the colonialist powers.Under the current conditions, it seems that the Libyan people should begin a long-term battle with the colonialists since occupiers are dividing Libya's interests and wealth among themselves," Ahmadinejad said on Saturday. He said that the NATO forces deployed in Libya are behaving the Libyan people much more brutally than the country's former dictator, Muammar Qaddafi. Ahmadinejad had also earlier slammed NATO's intervention in Libya, stressing that it exacerbated the conflict and undermined the sovereignty of the Muslim nation. "It was the will of the people that should work. ... justice, freedom and respect - this is the right of all nations," he said in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria last week. He said his stance was "not different" following the death of ousted Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi. Ahmadinejad also took aim the United States, saying the country is "hated" in the Middle East and should keep out of the region's affairs. Ahmadinejad said the United States should realize the "era of colonialism is over" and review its policies, specially when it comes to pressuring the Middle East.