伊朗总统提前回国,悼念麦加踩踏事件的伊朗遇难者

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani will depart New York for Tehran on Monday, cutting short his visit for the U.N. General Assembly meetings so that he can take part in a ceremony for the Iranians killed in a stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Some 169 Iranians have been confirmed dead among the 769 killed last week outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. More than 300 Iranians remain missing.

Rouhani is scheduled to give a speech before the General Assembly on Monday morning. Iran's mission to the U.N. says Rouhani has canceled some of his sideline meetings at the event in order to depart for home in the afternoon.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded Saudi Arabia apologize for the stampede.

Iranians protested Sunday outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran for a third straight day.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir accused Iran of politically exploiting the tragedy.