Leader Meets with Turkish President

Leader Meets with Turkish PresidentAyatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Tuesday morning with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described popular Islamic Awakening as the main reason behind the concerns of the enemies of Islam, stressing: "Today, America and the Zionists are happy with the domestic discord that exists in some Islamic countries. The solution for these problems is cooperation between Islamic countries and adopting appropriate and constructive measures."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "We have always stressed that Islamic countries do not benefit from trusting the west and America. Today too, everyone can clearly see the consequences of western actions in the region. These actions are to the disadvantage of Islam and the region."

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the developments of some regional countries and the savage activities of terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, saying: "If someone does not see the hidden hands of the enemy on these issues, they have deceived themselves."

His Eminence stated that America and the Zionists are happy about this situation in the region. He added: "The Zionists, many western governments and America - more than everyone else - are happy with these events and they are not going to resolve the issue of DAESH."

He reiterated: "Without a doubt, foreigners do not want these issues to be resolved. Therefore, it is Islamic countries that should decide to solve these problems. However, no collective, appropriate and constructive decision has been made in this regard."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the events in Yemen as another new problem for the world of Islam, stating: "The position of the Islamic Republic on all countries, including Yemen, is opposition to foreign intervention. In our opinion, the solution for the crisis of Yemen is to prevent foreign attacks and intervention against the people of this country. It is the people of Yemen who should make decisions about the future of their country."

Ayatollah Khamenei described popular Islamic Awakening and the peoples thirst for Islam as the main reason behind the sensitivity of the enemies, saying: "The enemies of Islam have begun their counterattacks against the Islamic Awakening since long ago. The regrettable truth is that some Islamic countries are behaving in a treacherous way by offering their money and resources to the enemy."
At the end of his statements, His Eminence touched on the situation of Iraq and said that Iran has helped the people of Iraq to prevent domination by terrorists. He added: "Iran has no military presence in Iraq, but there are historical, deep-rooted and very close relations between the people of Iran and the people of Iraq."

Erdogan also stressed the necessity of solving the problems of the world of Islam without western intervention, saying: "There are many problems in the region which should be solved with one another's help. We should not wait for the west to resolve these issues for us."

The President of Turkey condemned the crimes committed by DAESH and reiterated: "I do not consider DAESH to be Muslim and I have expressed my opposition to these terrorists."