Supreme Leader underlines importance of unity among Lebanese groups

Tehran, Nov 26, IRNA - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said here Tuesday that unity among different Lebanese ethnic groups is the key to Lebanon's salvation and progress.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that power of all Lebanese
groups should be at the service of the country's national unity to
counter the danger of the Zionist regime," Ayatollah Khamenei told
visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and his accompanying
delegation.

The Supreme Leader, lauding Suleiman's stances in support of Islamic
resistance and also his efforts to establish national unity and
maintain national identity of the Lebanese army, said that Iran will
always side with Lebanon and it is hoped that the talks held during
the visit will further promote bilateral relations.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Lebanon enjoys high significance
despite its small geographical limits.

"An instance of this is "exemplary" co-existence of different
religious groups in Lebanon," added Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Supreme Leader said another instance of such a significance of
Lebanon is the historical victory of the Lebanese people over the
Zionist regime.

"Over the past 60 years, none of the Muslim and Arab states have been
able to face the Zionist regime but people in Lebanon managed to break
this myth and drive the Israeli army out of their soil," added
Ayatollah Khamenei.

Underlining unity in Lebanon as the main factor of victory over the
Zionist regime, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Inter-factional dialogue
underway in Lebanon, headed by the president, is positive because
Lebanon's bright prospect depends on national unity.

The Supreme Leader added that Lebanon has turned into a model for
other Muslim nations due to its resistance to the Zionist regime's
aggressions. "During the 33-day war period, many Muslims in the
Islamic and Arab states chanted slogans in support of Lebanese
Hizbollah, especially Seyed Hassan Nasrallah."
Ayatollah Khamenei said support for resistance in the world of Islam
and Arab states is highly meaningful. "We should keep the spirit of
resistance in our hearts and then in action so as to proceed." Calling
terrorism a "very big danger" to Lebanon and all regional states,
Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Terrorism which emerged due to financial
support of certain governments hit them first. Those governments,
however, did not take lessons and continue supporting the terrorists."
Underlining the need for adoption of a proper strategy to face
terrorism, the Supreme Leader also urged repatriation of homeless
Palestinians residing in Arab states to their homeland.

Ayatollah Khamenei said certain people suppose that repatriation of
the Palestinian refugees is impossible but this will definitely happen.

For his part, Suleiman, thanking the Iranian government and nation for
supporting Lebanon, especially during and after the 33-day war and in
the period of reconstruction, said Iran's role in solving Lebanon's
domestic problems and conclusion of Doha deal was very outstanding and
valuable.

The Lebanese president, outlining political, security and economic
conditions in Lebanon, said presence of a large number of ministers,
representing different Lebanese groups, as members of his delegation
during his Iran visit is a sign that all Lebanese groups are grateful
to Iran.

He said a powerful government now ruling Lebanon has strengthened the
resistance.

Underlining that the Lebanese army should be the symbol of national
unity, Suleiman said the army wants Lebanon's dignity and that
resistance is symbol of dignity.