>> iran is ready for talks with the west on its nuclear program. so says their new president at the united nations meeting in new york. the death toll rises in pakistan , while still powerful, it appears to have created an entirely new island off the coast. three days of national mourning starting kenya this wednesday following the shopping center siege. those of the latest news headlines. thank you for joining us here on "france 24."

hostilities can be met with hope according to the new iranian president. he reiterated that his country's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and said that he was open to talks with the u.s. to manage their differences. he has been on a charm offensive for the last few weeks as his country suffers under crippling sanctions. >> his speech was the most anticipated of the general assembly. the iranian president talked a lot about hope and moderation, reiterating the main points he had made already in his mission to woo the west. he promised that iran poses no threat to the world, saying instead that they are a partner for peace. >> iran seeks constructive engagement with other countries based on mutual respect and common interest.

we do not seek to increase tensions with the united states. >> he railed against the crippling sanctions imposed by the west and the united states over their disputed nuclear program. >> these sanctions of violence pure and simple, smart or otherwise, unilateral or multilateral. >> iran was mentioned by several world leaders as they traded hopeful yet cautious messages during their public addresses. >> i want to be clear, we are encouraged by the message that we received. >> the message now is to know that these words will be translated into actions specifically concerning the nuclear issues. >> the french president even went as far as meeting them face to face. there was speculation that barack obama might shake hands

with his iranian counterpart but in the end that proved to be too much for the iranians. >> let's get more on the israeli reaction to the speech with our correspondent in jerusalem. the israeli delegation actually walked out of his speech, so it is not hard to imagine their reaction. >> that was at the instruction of benjamin netanyahu. at 1:00 a.m. local time he gave a response, to decry the cynicism of the speech, saying that israel would welcome genuine diplomatic initiatives but that he is not convinced. he fears it is a smokescreen and does not want to be taken in. a strong response from the israeli prime minister, who has made this the cause of his leadership, his concern and fear

over the iranian clear program. >> what about the comments made by him after his speech where he described the holocaust as reprehensible? >> ahmadinejad, the previous iranian president, his comments about the fact that there was no holocaust, it was an embarrassment for most iranians who know very well the history of the 20th century. there was even some iranian involvement in rescuing jewish children. i think it is a relief for iranians and the jewish community in israel to hear the a ring in president describe the facts of history. that is an advantage that is welcome.

>> the official viewpoint of israel i would imagine is not shared by everyone in the country? >> there has been some criticism of the prime minister. they say that you have to adjust to the new wind with a new strategy. the former president much more hardline. a number of politicians and analysts today are discussing a need for a new strategy. perhaps walking out is not a good look, that is what is being said today. there is great suspicion, not just in israel, about the new world and the old bottle, but it might be a real change. you do have to deal with this charm offensive in a new way. that is the criticism being made of the prime minister in israel

today. >> thank you very much, indeed, for joining us here on "france 24." despite what appeared to be a more moderate calls from the uranium leader at the general assembly, he has been accused of being responsible for a series of atrocities since his inauguration. former new york mayor, rudy giuliani, says that we must be serious about the demands. also joining me on this one natalie, a french senator who spent some time in iran. thank you very much, indeed. you want more talks, more action between iran and the international community. how do you see things developing here? >> first of all, slowly. the image is so bad that it will not be restored in one shot. we need time.

we openly need time to restore the post. enron out of the picture is a nightmare for the international community. we need them for lebanon, for syria. i think that we have to discuss with iran and we have to start something. >> so, there are many facets to this relationship, but what is the french role here specifically? >> well, i think -- and i am very proud of the president at this time, because it is still important for relations. despite the nuclear issue, we have a lot of other issues. the rainy and people chose him through a fear and -- free and

fair election. regarding helping the other country and trying to restore an image, as i told you before, it will take time, because everyone is scared about iran. >> do you see the president perhaps acting as a mediator? >> maybe not yet, but i think it is a good hint and we have to follow him into next week again. i have always been inquisitive as a member of parliament during the last year. it was not easy. but even i have had the issue myself, and regarding members of the parliament believe me, everything changed. >> this new and moderate

approach is reflective? >> yes yaks, the people are very happy and hope to see sanctions for a sin. i think that will be the case. iran is guilty regarding the nuclear issue. on this side we have to discuss. it is very good news that they are back in the picture. >> the crisis in syria dominated talks in new york. they wanted tough action against syria as the wrangling continues. obama told world leaders that they were ready to use all elements of power. meanwhile, the united nations weapons inspectors have returned on wednesday to pursue their investigations. three days of national mourning

have begun in kenya for the vic m's of one of the countries worst ever massacres. 67 civilians were killed when militants claiming to be from al shabaab stormed a shopping complex on saturday. as the siege has come to an end, there are fears that more victims will be discovered. >> after four days, it is over the westgate siege took a heavy toll. scores of civilians and security officers lost their lives hundreds were wounded. >> our head is bloodied, but unbowed. the criminals found us unafraid as we shall ever be. we cannot be conquered. >> the president said that i'll shabbat had been shamed and defeated. security forces made multiple withdrawals, and the final push

came on tuesday. five militants were killed another 11 have been placed into custody. >> i promise we shall have the full accountability for this mindless destruction, death, pain, loss, and suffering that we have all undergone as a national family. >> funeral services have begun including a cremation ceremony for a teen ---year-old girl killed in the attack. dozens of people known to have been in the shopping center are still missing. >> the foreign office has now confirmed that one of the citizens has been arrested in connection with the attack at the mall. it was enough force to create a new island off the coast of pakistan on wednesday. the true extent of the damage is unknown. at least 250 people were killed

in tuesday's earthquake, which also destroyed thousands of mud built homes. officials are bringing help and shelters to the area as vacant and you to be racked with aftershocks. -- as they continue to be racked with aftershocks. >> hundreds were killed or crushed when their houses collapsed. the earthquake struck in pakistan's largest but least populated province. villages were flattened throughout the region and the remote location made it if a call for rescue workers to quickly address their needs. the earthquake was powerful enough for the buildings to be evacuated 250 kilometers away. >> i was working on my computer in the office and suddenly i felt tremors. i thought i was feeling

dizziness, but i soon found out they were tremors. i immediately left and came down for safety. >> tremors were reportedly felt as far away as northern india. the pakistani military says they are rushing aid to the region. meanwhile, crowds gathered on the coast to see the island that was created by the quake. >> france must end its policy of forced evictions according to embassy international. -- amnesty international. that is half of the overall number of migrants in france from the former yugoslavia. >> the french interior minister walk into a storm once again about remarks he made over the roma roma community -- roma community.

>> they are better off in their own country, integrating there. they are better off returning to romania and bulgaria. that should be very clear. >> certain leaders on the left are joining his camp, with elections weighing on the mind of politicians. wax when they will not integrate into society and follow our rules? we should return them to their country. >> the opposition is serious of the stomping on their ground. >> imagine for a second if sarkozy took this position on the right. >> parts of the left and human rights organizations have seen the statement as to right wing.

>> he is the minister for 65 million people. he should not behave in this way. these comments are not worthy of a man of state. >> there are 20,000 roma in france and they are reportedly victims of forced expulsion. they will have full access to almost all european union states. >> more news in 15 minutes. ♪ >> hello, welcome to "the week in the middle east." we will look at a broad threat in syria and we will look at the tensions between this. army and groups with different enemies

but if in goals. has the muslim brotherhood once again been dampened? we start with syria. the war once again rages on. another threat comes kidnapping. both threats are carrying out of the actions. our special correspondents met a victim and headed to military reconciliation. he is constantly looking over his shoulder. he was released after a three- day ordeal. >> they held a gun to my head and said that if we do not support the revolution, we will kill you.

he gave me electric shocks to my feet stomach, and hands. as they tortured me, they had my mother on the phone. >> here at the ministry of reconciliation, we hear many such stories, even from the employees. the ministry received on average to kidnapping cases per day. >> i come here often to ask about him. >> his sole source of income is to pay a ransom, to no avail. >> he was no -- he was right in front of maybe but he did not return to me. >> they've demanded more money which he could not pay. he said the kidnappers were opposition fighters. >> there are expectations from the other side as well.

they could not eat, now they have cars houses, and everything. >> he also has contacts amongst the armed opposition. he wants just one thing, for the violence to stop. >> many do not agree with what is happening, the killings on both sides. there are people who want to help, but secretly. >> kidnappings represent only some of the requests. most people come here asking about loved ones who were arrested by the security services. leila, for example, waited one year to come forward. >> i am looking for my husband.

>> she tells the story of her husband. >> i do not know if they abducted him. the children are distressed. >> the ministry will send a request to the ministry services and they will generally respond. >> we have a real problem with the security apparatus in the country. we arrested your son your brother, he is being held on such and such a charge. they admit that they cannot track down every person. >> while the opposition continues to fight for the regime, tensions are growing between the soldiers and the

free syrian army. two years after its creation, they are struggling to find enough funding and it has pushed many soldiers to switch sides joining the ranks of what they call a holy roller. -- holy war. >> july 21, 2011. on that day there were six high- ranking syrian officers who announced in opposition that would be named the free syrian army. he was killed -- >> he was killed as he tried to deactivate the mine. regime did a lot in the region

while escaping to turkey. >> the revolution has sunk into a civil war. >> the islamic state in iraq and n always had fewer militants than we do. the numbers could never bring order to syria. >> the suitcases are packed. he recently decided to join this jihadist group in the ranks of the free syrian army. committing himself to what he calls a holy war. >> they are at the beck and call of the west.

they are against installing sharia law. i am in favor of sharia law in syria. >> the opinion is shared by all of those in the apartment and in serious. some are disappointed by the revolution, and at the beginning of the conflict they recommend transitioning. >> in reality, they do not even need me. it would be enough to check the buses there and look at the passengers arriving. take them to the border. >> now the flag of the free syrian army remains hanging.

>> just 15 months after ringing mohamed morsi -- bringing mohamed morsi the power, the muslim brotherhood is once again going underground. the ruling also targeted any institution being branched out of or funded by the good brotherhood. the group said that the decision was politically motivated and that the ban would move under ground for most of its 85 years. he has in the past month that named a moderate as his foreign minister and chief negotiator exchanging letters with the u.s. president in negotiations with

nbc. he has helped to address the general assembly for the first time. >> speaker at the general assembly he would spot the walkouts, but this visit to the west was more conciliatory. >> iran seeks constructive engagement with other countries based on mutual respect and constant interest and the same framework does not seek to increase tensions with the united states. >> condemnation of the international sanctions in iran. >> these sanctions of violence, pure and simple, smart or otherwise, these sanctions

violate unalienable human rights. >> with barack obama saying he hopes that negotiations with iran could reopen. >> we are encouraged by the message we have received. given the stated goal to reach an agreement i am requesting john kerry to pursue this withnt. i firmly believe the diplomatic path must be met. thank you very much. >> the question that is posed now, it will be translated into action concerning the nuclear issue. >> they met at the u.n., the first meeting between them not everyone is happy. further distancing himself from his predecessors, israel says it is all for show.

>> they have implemented more advanced -- nothing serious will be done. he will continue to smile and a piece and he will smile all the way to the boom. >> the a rainy and declined to attend a reception that serves out all, showing that the islamic republic has lines they will not cross. >> do join us next