Supreme Leader: Dictatorship in contrast with respect for law

Tehran, June 25, IRNA – Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here Wednesday that dictatorship is in sharp contrast with observation and abidance of law.

Addressing a meeting, attended by Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and lawmakers, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “In absence of law abiding, the spirit of dictatorship will emerge.”

Ayatollah Khamenei praised Majlis as the country’s think-thank and said the legislative body represents the law, which is enforced nationwide. “So, the most important issue is observation of the laws based on Islamic Revolution values and principles one the one hand, and the prompt and long-term needs of society on the other.”

The Supreme Leader said if in laws both these characteristics are observed, they will be sound and right besides being efficient.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that if the laws are not compatible with the Islamic Revolution values and principles, they will not be genuine, and if they do not meet the public needs, they will not be popular despite being genuine and legitimate.

Emphasizing that the Islamic Revolution’s fundamentals should always be taken into consideration, Ayatollah Khamenei said founder of the Islamic Republic the late Imam Khomeini was a great and wise man whose speeches and guidelines will remain as the Islamic Revolution’s principles and fundamentals. All the laws adopted and stances taken should be in the same line, he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said in passing the laws, one should be careful that they should contain ethical, religious and educational values.

The Supreme Leader advised the lawmakers to try to tolerate the opposite words and claims. Comments made in Majlis should be scientific, logical, healthy and ethical, free from obstinacy or private and factional tendencies.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the responsibility of Majlis and government to run state affairs and promote social affairs, saying that Majlis should prepare the ground for interaction and cooperation with the government because the latter is enforcing the laws and shouldering the heavy duty of running the country’s executive affairs.

Noting that handling of executive affairs is a very hard and difficult task, Ayatollah Khamenei said the government should be assisted in handling the affairs. Of course this does not mean taking errors for granted, rather all approaches should be kind and sincere, added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Referring to tensions in former terms of Majlis, Ayatollah Khamenei said people do not like tension which has a fully negative and want sincere cooperation of officials to solve problems.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, "As for recent events in the aftermath of the presidential elections, I seriously want the law enforced and respected and the Islamic system and people will by no cost yield to force. Law should be the yardstick in all state affairs so that public and social affairs can be handled easily.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said any insistence on non-observation of law will make the issue more complicated and for this reason all should respect the law.

The Supreme Leader then thanked Majlis for its stances on recent events, saying, “Unanimty of stance under present conditions when enemies are watching Iran to find weak points is of utmost importance."

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