German parliament criticize Iranian leader's comments

German lawmakers on Friday unanimously condemned the Iranian president's verbal attacks on Israel and denial of the Holocaust, while urging the Berlin government to keep pressing Tehran to change course. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments were "completely unacceptable," according to a motion adopted by lawmakers from all six parties in the German parliament. The motion urged the government to "counter any policy that disputes Israel's right to exist and denies the Holocaust."

German leaders have called for the United Nations to join many countries in condemning Ahmadinejad, who in October called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and on Wednesday called the Holocaust a "myth" used to create a Jewish state in the Middle East. Denying the Holocaust is a crime in Germany.

Berlin has warned the comments will also influence talks over Iran's disputed nuclear program. Germany, along with France and Britain, is leading diplomatic efforts to allay fears over Iran's nuclear intentions. Talks resume Dec. 21.

Meanwhile, a German newspaper reported that Iran is developing longer-range missiles with technology from North Korea and Russia. Citing information from Germany's foreign intelligence service, the Bild daily said Iran has bought materials for 18 missiles from North Korea and is using technology from Russian submarine-launched missiles to extend their range to 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles).

"Germany and other parts of Europe could be directly affected by the Iranian missile program in the medium to long-term," the newspaper quoted from what it said was a new report from Germany's Federal Intelligence Service. A spokesman for the spy agency declined to comment, reports the AP. N.U.