Munich security conference moves to exclude Russia, Iran

BERLIN, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- This year's Munich Security Conference, where defense leaders will converge this weekend, will be without the Russian and Iranian governments, the chairman of the annual talks Christoph Heusgen said on Monday.
Moscow and Tehran have not been invited for the Feb. 17-19 talks in the southern German city of Munich, said the official, blaming Russia for waging an "aggressive war," while holding Iran responsible for human rights infractions.
He went on to say that Russia is responsible for "violating human civilization," which justified its exclusion from the gathering, while he lashed out at Tehran for violating the most "basic of human rights." US Vice President Kamala Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the most prominent attendees during the three-day gathering that kicks off on Friday. (end) anj.nam