Palestinian FM in Iran, gets support
Palestine-Iran, Politics, 6/10/2006

Iran's Chairman of Expediency Council (EC) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in a meeting with visiting Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar Saturday said Islam has been an important factor in Palestinians' victorious struggle against the Zionist regime and its supporters.

Al-Zahar, for his part, said, "The issue of Palestine is not related only to people of this territory or Arabs, but the Islamic world is worried about it, so the most important concern the enemies is that all the movements originate from Islam." EC chairman said Palestinian vote for Hamas was because of their love for Islam adding Hamas victory shows the real stance and position of resistance groups, especially the Islamic movements in Palestine and their fight on the basis of faith.

Al-Zahar went on to say support for Palestinians has an upward trend among the Muslims and world freedom seekers believe that Palestine is an Islamic land and belongs to all Muslims.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki today said that the continuation of the criminal acts of Israel will further increase the resistance to occupation of Palestine.

In the Israeli incursion into the north of Gaza Strip, seven civilian Palestinians were martyred and 25 were wounded.

Speaking to reporters in a press conference along with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Al-Zahar, he said that Islamic and Arab states shoulder great responsibility in helping the Palestinian people.

Turning to the victory of Hamas in the last general elections as the success of resistance in the history of Palestinian struggle and appreciated the vigilance of Hamas to invite all factions to participate in forming a coalition government as an attempt towards national unity.

Mottaki referred to his talks with Al-Zahar in Tehran and said that at the meeting, further cooperation and negotiation among all Palestinian groups were discussed.

"At the meeting, it was underlined that cooperation and understanding among Hamas government and the Palestinian Liberation Organization should develop to facilitate responding to the demands of Palestinian nation," he added.

The minister criticized the West's dual approach concerning their commitments to assist the Palestinian government and nation as well as the withholding of assistance of other governments to Palestine and said, "Despite the dilemmas facing the occupied lands, Hamas government will administer the Palestinian issues, in particular those associated with earning their livelihood." Mottaki condemned the Zionist regime which martyred members of the Palestinian government and said that the only outcome of such crimes was further consolidation of resistance to occupation.

In response to a question about Iran's support for Palestine's government and nation, he said, "Given the strong public support for Palestine's ideals, Iranian government and nation have declared their support for the Palestinians." He said that during Tehran International Conference to Support al-Qods and Palestinians Rights (April 14-16), Iran approved 50 million dollars to the Palestinian government, adding that 300 automobiles which were produced by Iran will be donated to Palestinian municipalities in future.

The minister also declared Iran's readiness to admit Palestinian students to Imam Khomeini International University and nationwide universities.

For his part, Al-Zahar appreciated the assistance of Iranian government to his country's government and people.

He told reporters that in the meeting with his Iranian counterpart, he briefed him on his visits to Arab, Asian and Islamic countries.

The Palestinian minister said that he will depart for Syria on Sunday, from where he will return to Palestine.

Al-Zahar pointed to the significance of public support for Hamas government and said, "We believe that no one has the right to violate the rights of Palestinian people." He said that 60 percent of Palestinian people live below the poverty line due to the pressures exerted by the Zionist regime, adding that if the salaries of 140,000 employees are not paid, there will be a real disaster.

Previous Stories:
  Ahmadi-Nejad: Israel would fall without support   (5/11/2006)
  Palestinians continue to suffer Israeli brutality   (4/18/2006)
  Palestinians praise Iran's financial aid   (4/17/2006)

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