TEHRAN - The Egyptian Writers' Union severely criticized a government author for his pro-Zionist remarks, the Central News Bureau reported from the Syrian capital Damascus.

In a letter they condemned Ali Salem's stance on the Palestinian Intifada, calling on the head of the Writers' Union to ban him from the union, the news agency said.

The union said Ali Salem's biased stance against Intifada and his support for the Zionist entity was the reason for the decision.