Insecurity in Persian Gulf harms all regional countries: Leader

December 21, 2010 - 0:0

TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that a safe and secure Persian Gulf benefits all regional countries, but if regional security is undermined, all of the region’s countries will suffer.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani in Tehran on Monday.
The Leader added that Iran-Qatar relations should be expanded day by day because it would be in the best interests of the two countries and the region.
Commenting on the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, Ayatollah Khamenei said that any ruling issued by the tribunal would be null and void.
“The tribunal on Hariri’s assassination is a rubber-stamp one, and any ruling that it issues is invalid,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei also stated that unity between Shias and Sunnis is very important.
The Qatari emir said the political stances of Iran and Qatar have always been close.
Qatari emir meets Iranian President
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also held a meeting with the Qatari emir, during which he described Iran-Qatar relations as brotherly and excellent.
Ahmadinejad told the Qatari leader that Tehran and Doha should work to strengthen unity among regional countries as part of the efforts to promote security in the Persian Gulf region.
The Iranian president added that Iran is seeking to make its ties with other countries in the region as strong as its ties with Qatar.
The Qatari emir said the expansion of relations between Iran and Qatar will benefit the two countries and the entire region.
Sheikh Hamad added that strong ties between Tehran and Doha can help guarantee security and stability in the region.
Commenting on the efforts to create discord between Shias and Sunnis in regional countries, the emir said regional countries should be vigilant and increase cooperation to thwart such plots.
Qatari emir brought special message for Ahmadinejad
The Qatari emir also brought a special message for the Iranian president that can improve the regional situation and strengthen solidarity among the countries of the Islamic world, the Mehr News Agency reported.
Ahmadinejad recently travelled to Doha, and during the trip he sent a message to the Saudi Arabian king through the Qatari emir.
And now it seems that the Qatari emir has brought the Saudi king’s reply to the Iranian president’s message. -