Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Thursday rejected calls from the six major powers to give a speedy answer to the incentive package aimed at ending the current crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.

Mottaki told reporters at UN headquarters in New York that Iran is seriously and carefully reviewing the proposed package, stressing that "a response will be in August."

Iran's response will be clear and substantive, he said, adding that the proposed package contains questions and ambiguities which must be cleared.

Mottaki said Javier Solana, the European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, may be able to answer some of Tehran's questions in technical talks expected to be held early next month.

However, "questions and ambiguities on the Iranian side are pending. Therefore, we welcome the discussions and negotiations for clarification of those ambiguities," he argued.

Source: Xinhuanter, named for the late Nazi hunter, describes itself as an international Jewish human rights organization. The center operates the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

Israeli warplanes carried out a low-altitude flight over the palace of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Mediterranean port city of Latakia in northwestern Syria on Wednesday in a threat reported to be linked to Meshal's presence in Damascus.

The Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that senior Israeli leaders approved the flight to show Syria that Israel is not oblivious to its sponsorship of Meshal.

Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Wednesday that Meshal is a target for assassination because of what he called the Palestinian's direct involvement in anti-Israeli attacks and for ordering the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on Sunday. Two other Israeli soldiers were killed in the operation.

Ramon also called on the international community to force Assad to expel Meshal from Damascus, where he has operated for years.

Israel's armed forces have been conducting operations against targets in Gaza in an effort to secure the release of the wounded Shalit.

Source: Xinhua