|
Leader calls for 'proper Islamic stance' as attack on Iraq looms |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Tehran, Aug 18, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the Islamic countries to take up an appropriate stance as reports of a probable US attack on Iraq is gathering further steam. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to any attack on Iraq and the Islamic world should adopt a proper stance in this effect," he said during a meeting with visiting Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. Ayatollah Khamenei described US' recent mounting of aggressive overtures against Iraq as "blatant bullying", and warned against the consequences of a military adventure in the Persian Gulf region. "Given the special and sensitive position of the Persian Gulf in view of its massive energy reserves, any incident in the region will result in a disadvantage for the instigator of the event," he said. The leader stressed the need for solidarity among Islamic countries in view of their existing problems, especially those of the Palestinian people. "Global powers today have stood up against the Islamic world and the American President (George W. Bush) has explicitly announced a Crusade war. "Under these conditions, the Islamic countries have to stand together closer than the past and expand their cooperation," Ayatollah Khamenei said. Any power, wanting to take an action against the Islamic world today, will face with towering problems, the leader added. He further cited enemies' intrigues to scuttle relations between Iran and littoral states of the Persian Gulf since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying "the sole way to confront these efforts is to increase dialogue and closer contacts". The leader also pointed to numerous historical and cultural commonalties between Iran and Bahrain, and called on the two countries to bolster their ties further. King Hamad echoed Ayatollah Khamenei's warning about looming threats against the Islamic world, saying expansion of ties among littoral states of the Persian Gulf, especially between Iran and Bahrain, will neutralize them. "Bahrain calls for boosting cooperation with the Islamic Republic in all fields and is resolved in this effect," he said. King Hamad arrived here Saturday on a landmark two-day visit at the head of a political and economic delegation. During his stay in Tehran, he discussed issues of mutual interest and trade ties as well as regional and international issues, particularly Iraq and the Middle East in talks with Iranian officials, including President Mohammad Khatami. The two sides also discussed possible ways to reinvigorate bilateral cooperation between the two countries through the joint economic and trade commission which was set up in 1999. The Bahraini king wound up his visit Sunday afternoon and headed home later. |
||
