Belgian official resigns after being criticized for inviting Tehran mayor to Brussels

By Omer Tugrul Cam

BRUSSELS (AA) - A regional official in Belgium resigned on Sunday after being criticized for inviting an Iranian delegation led by Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani to the Brussels Urban Summit.

Pascal Smet served as state secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region.

Mayors and delegations from many parts of the world were invited to the summit, which was held last week.

The invitation of the delegation led by Zakani as well as a delegation from Kazan, Russia and the fact that their expenses were paid by the Brussels Regional Government sparked outrage against Smet.

Smet said he was stepping down as a result of debates that have been going on since last week among the Belgian public on the grounds that Western countries have imposed sanctions on Iran and Russia.

He said in his defense that the invitation was the fault of one of his team and that he was not aware of it.

"My conscience does not approve of Belgium's money being spent on representatives of the Iranian or Russian regime."

"Even if it's not my fault personally, I have to take responsibility," he added.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib was also asked to resign.

Lahbib has also been the target of criticism from the opposition.

The right-wing N-VA party argued that Belgian visas were given to the Iranian and Russian delegations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that she should immediately step down.

Emails leaked to the Belgian press showed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposed the visits. In an email dated March 20, a senior ministry official advised the Brussels Regional Government against approving the delegations' visits.