Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence said that the people of nations, particularly the Islamic Ummah, support the Palestinian resistance groups. He added that the resistance of the Palestinian people and resistance groups has contributed to the recent victories in Palestine and the recent wave of Islamic Awakening in the region.
Referring to the resistance of the people of Gaza and the defeat of the Zionist regime in the 22-day war, His Eminence said that the suppressed feelings of the regional nations about the issue of Gaza played a role in the explosion of anger in the region.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that any move that weakens resistance will work against the future of Muslim nations. He reiterated: "It is necessary to constantly guard against the infiltration of compromising elements into the resistance groups."
Addressing Ismail Haniya, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: "We do not have any doubts regarding your resistance and the people do not expect anything other than resistance from Palestinian Resistance."
His Eminence said that Yasser Arafat lost popularity among the regional nations because he abandoned the path of resistance. "Resistance prepares the way for attracting the hearts of the people and it is a great asset that should be preserved."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the issue of Palestine as an Islamic issue and reiterated: "Iran is sincere and steadfast regarding the issue of Palestine, and it will always stand by the Palestinian people and resistance groups."
At the meeting, Ismail Haniya expressed his gratitude for the support of the Iranian people and government, and added: "We consider the Iranian nation a strategic asset for Palestine."
The Palestinian Prime Minister said: "Liberating all Palestinian lands, insisting on resistance and rejecting peace talks, and insisting on the Islamic nature of the issue of Palestine are three main strategies that we pursue."
Ismail Haniya said that the Palestinian nation will definitely defeat the Zionist regime. Addressing the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, he added: "Just as you said some time ago, our conditions are the same as those of Badr and Khaybar, not those of the Valley of Abi Talib."