The Syrian delegation to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit progressing in Tehran staged a walk out on Thursday after Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi described the ongoing unrest in Syria a "revolution against an oppressive regime".
"Our solidarity with the struggle of the Syrian people against an oppressive regime that has lost its legitimacy is an ethical duty, as it is a political and strategic necessity," Mursi said in his address to the summit.
"We all have to announce our full solidarity with the struggle of those seeking freedom and justice in Syria, and translate this sympathy into a clear political vision that supports a peaceful transition to a democratic system of rule that reflects the demands of the Syrian people for freedom," he added.
Mursi went on to compare the ongoing uprising in Syria to the decades-long conflict between Palestinians and Israel, saying that both Syrian rebels and the Palestinians were "actively seeking freedom, dignity and human justice." He added that Egypt was "ready to work with all to stop the bloodshed".
Following Mursi's comments, delegation walked out of the conference room. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said later that the Egyptian President's speech "violated the traditions of the summit and are considered interference in Syrian internal affairs". He also accused Mursi of "inciting continued bloodshed in Syria".
The 16th NAM Summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital on Sunday and ends on Friday. The summit is expected to draw representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries.
Founded in September 1961, NAM comprises 118 countries, in addition to16 observer countries and 9 observer organizations. NAM focuses on striving for the interests of developing countries all over the world, and now represents nearly two-thirds of UN member-countries and comprises 55 percent of the world population.
Addressing the summit earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the strong relations between the United Nations and NAM, and stressed on the need for both bodies to rise to the challenge of responding to the needs of those they represent.
Ban described the conflict in Syria as a civil war, and warned that "those who provide arms to either side in Syria are contributing to the misery". Stressing that "further militarization is not the answer" to the Syrian conflict, the UN chief stressed that the situation in the unrest-hit Middle east nation cannot be resolved "with the blood and the bodies of more than 18,000 people and counting."
Referring to the continued stand-off between Iran and the international community over its disputed nuclear program, Ban said: "For the sake of peace and security in this region and globally, I urge the Government of Iran to take the necessary measures to build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program."
Iran is currently reeling under sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council over Teheran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment. Although Iran insists its nuclear activity is intended for peaceful civilian purposes, the West suspects the claim to be a cover up for the country's nuclear weapon ambitions. Nevertheless, Tehran argues that it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Ban said Iran must address the international concerns triggered by its disputed nuclear program by fully complying with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Ban also slammed Iran over its open hostility towards Israel, saying: "I strongly reject threats by any Member State to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts, such as the Holocaust. Claiming that another UN Member State, Israel, does not have the right to exist, or describing it in racist terms, is not only utterly wrong but undermines the very principles we have all pledged to uphold."
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Market Analysis
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.