Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has urged unity among the Muslim countries to counter the challenges in the world today.

Mottaki briefed the envoys of 57 Muslim countries to the UN on Iran's policy in a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, IRNA reported.

Iran's top diplomat condemned recent moves in the West to undermine Islamic values and said that these initiatives are intolerable for Muslim nations.

He also urged Muslim countries to support Iran's bid to hold a seat at the UN Security Council and noted that Iran is the only Muslim candidate from Asia eligible to join the UN Secutiry Council this year.

Ten non-permament members of the UN Security Council are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms and are not eligible for immediate re-election.

Iran was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 1955-1956.

MGH/HAR