BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

07/11/2006

Supreme Leader: Iran harbors no animosity with world states

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here Monday evening said that the Islamic Republic of Iran harbors no animosity with any country but will seriously defend its interests whenever threatened.

During a meeting with the visiting Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his accompanying delegation, the Supreme Leader urged cooperation and coordination among independent states, saying greater coherence would effectively guard their interests to the benefit of their nations.

Referring to the great potential of both Iran and Belarus to expand their current cooperation, Ayatollah Khamenei voiced Iran's readiness to expand its economic and trade cooperation with Belarus.

Underlining the importance of continuing their resistance against pressures exerted by bullying powers, the Supreme Leader called on independent states to forge a closer cooperation in order to realize their objectives.

He also stressed the importance of public opinion, saying resistance coupled with public support ensures victory of independent states against dictatorial powers.

Referring to US interference and its continued presence in countries of the world, including the Middle East, the Supreme Leader said its presence is the result of the weak and wrong policies of regional states.

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the fact that US forces have faced defeat in Middle East countries such as Iraq, Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

For his part, President Lukashenko expressed his satisfaction with Tehran-Minsk amicable relations and referred to Iran as a powerful country that is determined to achieve its goals.

Expansion of Iran-Belarus all-out ties will benefit both sides, he said.

President Lukashenko also called for closer cooperation among the world's independent states.

The meeting was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Belarus president, heading a senior politico-economic delegation, arrived in Tehran Sunday night for an official two-day visit to review issues of mutual interest with senior Iranian officials.

He was given an official welcome by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Presidential Office Monday morning.

Source:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0611075755105728.htm

Google