US reviews Iranian president's visa request

The United States said on Monday that it is reviewing a visa request from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to attend next month's UN General Assembly in New York.

"We have received a request for a visa. We're reviewing that request," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing.

Ereli said that in reviewing the Iranian president's visa request, the United States is also taking into considerations " previous activities with respect to hostage-taking."

The United States has been looking into allegations that Ahmadinejad played a role in the 1979 siege of the US embassy in Teheran.

On Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian students took hostage of some 90 people inside the US embassy. Fifty-two remained in captivity until they were released on Jan. 20, 1981.

The Iranian side has denied allegations concerning Ahmadinejad.

Source: Xinhua