TEHRAN President Mohammad Khatami here Thursday called the Basij Force (volunteer) the fruit of the popular and young Islamic Revolution. Speaking at a gathering of Basij commanders, Khatami said Basij is a symbol of youth and freshness of the Iranian nation in defending Islam, the revolution, and the territorial integrity and independence of the country. Alluding to the history of the Islamic Revolution and the difficulties it faced during the early days of the revolution, President Khatami said the Iraqi imposed war (1980-88) helped Basij grow, adding that like the revolution, Basij too comes from people.