The visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, May 1.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader stressed the need for the consolidation of relations and expansion of cooperation among Islamic countries.
As regards the bilateral ties between Iran and Qatar, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the two counties are expected to further boost their relations and cooperation, "since cordial ties among regional governments will serve their interests as well as those of the entire region and the Islamic world".
Referring to the abundant material and human resources of Islamic countries, especially those in the region, the Leader emphasized that Islamic countries should utilize their precious resources in such a manner as to increase their scientific power.
Ayatollah Khamenei described regional oil and gas as the source of survival of the industrial civilization of the West. He stated that Westerners achieved scientific progress by using natural resources of Muslim nations, but that they are now using their scientific power as a tool for exercising hegemony and exerting pressure on Islamic governments.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that relations and cooperation among Islamic countries are vital and of great significance. "But of course close ties and cooperation among regional countries have their own enemies, and the United States and the Zionist regime are heading such enemies," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the mischievous attempts made by the enemies of the Islamic Revolution in the early years after its victory to create an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility toward Iran in the region.
"Despite all the attempts made by the enemies to create a negative atmosphere in those years, today this kind of atmosphere does not exist, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with all regional countries, and the countries in the region are also able to recognize their friends and foes very well," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
The Qatari emir, for his part, expressed pleasure over his visit to Iran and his meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic. He also said that the expansion of relations with Islamic and regional countries, especially with the Islamic Republic of Iran, is one of the major policies of the Qatari government.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani further described his negotiations with the Iranian officials in Tehran as 'positive'.
"We also believe that Islamic countries should expand their cooperation and try to use their natural and human resources in an appropriate manner and with the intention of consolidating their scientific, economic and hygienic infrastructures and boosting their capabilities," the Qatari emir remarked.