"The Muslim nations and their leaders should appreciate the time and understand the importance and value of this period (of time) correctly," Larijani said on Sunday, addressing his colleagues in an open session of the parliament.

"Today Muslims need each others´ assistance and cooperation and they should not be slackened and inactive, because their inaction gives the chance to dishonest countries which, disguised as a friend, seek to impose their will on the nations," he added.

Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei had earlier cautioned that the US had initiated efforts to hijack the popular uprisings in the region and derail the Islamic awakening move in the Middle-East and North Africa.

"The United States does not do anything in the interest of the regional nations. Whatever they have done so far has been against the regional nations," Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing a large crowd of the people at the mausoleum of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, South of Tehran earlier this year.

The Leader urged Muslim countries to remain vigilant in the face of the Western plots.

In recent months, a wave of revolutions and anti-government uprisings has swept the Arab world.

In January, a revolution in Tunisia ended the 23-year ruling of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

In February, another Arab revolution led to the ouster of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak after three decades of his authoritarian rule.

Other revolutions, then, erupted in Libya, Yemen and Bahrain, while other anti-government unrests have started in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait and Algeria.

End.
Last Updated: 19 September 2011