Leader Meets Senegalese President

 Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this afternoon with Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade and his accompanying delegation. In this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Muslim countries should recognize the importance of the issues of the Muslim world besides increasing their cooperation. He further stated that no one can ignore the great human capacities and geographical advantages of the Muslim world.

Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to the position of the Senegalese President as the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and stated: "In order to help strengthen relations among the members of the OIC and further their collective interests, the OIC should be strengthened politically and its Islamic spirit has to be boosted."

His Eminence said that the OIC was basically established to support the Palestinian people and the issue of Quds. "Now that the Zionists are implementing their policy of promoting Judaism in Quds, Hebron, and other parts of Palestine, the OIC should focus its attention on the important issue of Palestine"

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the destructive policies of the arrogant powers with regard to the issue of Palestine and said that all Islamic countries should consider the issue of Palestine as a national issue.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that it is necessary for Islamic countries to increase their unanimity and reiterated that the Zionist regime, which is backed by the US, should be put under political and economic pressure by Islamic countries.

He further referred to the bilateral relations between Iran and Senegal and said that the two countries can make use of their capacities in order to further expand their relations.

In this meeting, Senegal's President presented a report of the efforts made during his term as the OIC president to boost economic cooperation among Islamic countries.

He further referred to the strong relations between Tehran and Dakar and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys great capacities in such fields as education, oil, and infrastructures.

Mr. Wade also expressed hope that he will reach agreements with the Islamic Republic over the expansion of relations between the two countries.