'Anti-Semitic and outrageous'
Updated on 20 April 2009
Diplomats walk out of a UN anti-racism conference after the Iranian president describes Israel as a 'racist government'.
Delegates reacted angrily to President Ahmadinejad's conference address, calling it "outrageous and anti-Semitic" and saying "Mr Ahmadinejad is trying to take this conference hostage".
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also called for the speedy release of an Iranian-American journalist who has been jailed for eight years on spying charges in Iran.
It is something of a backward step after President Ahmadinejad's intervention yesterday on behalf of Roxana Sabieri.
The walk-out took place shortly after two protesters, wearing coloured wigs, disrupted the beginning of President Ahmadinejad's speech.
He continued speaking, but when he attacked the creation of the state of Israel a stream of Western left the room.
Some of those who stayed clapped as Mr Ahmadinejad continued his speech.
The United Nations had hoped the conference would promote its efforts to unite the world.
