Ahmadinejad sees end of 'American empire'

In a confrontational speech to world leaders and UN delegates, the Iranian president also blamed the west's economic problems on "bullying powers".

"The American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road, and its next rulers must limit their interference to their own borders," Mr Ahmadinejad said as he referred to the last months of George Bush's administration.

The Iranian leader also said terrorism is spreading quickly in Afghanistan and that "the occupiers" are still in Iraq nearly six years after Saddam Hussein was ousted from power in Iraq.

Ahmadinejad reiterated the peaceful intentions of his country's uranium enrichment program and criticized powers for stockpiling nuclear weapons, dubbing them as "politically backwards".