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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hariri tribunal kangaroo court: Leader |
| 2010-12-21 |
| [Iran Press TV] Leader of the Islamic theocracy Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says any ruling by the US-sponsored Special Tribunal for Leb (STL) is null and void. "This court is a kangaroo court and every verdict it issues is rejected. We hope influential sides in Leb will act prudently, so the issue will not be turned into a problem," said the Leader in a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Monday. The Leader noted that plots in Leb will bear no fruit and said, "We are very optimistic about the improvement of situation in the region." The US-backed STL is charged with investigating the liquidation of Leb's former Prime Minister Refiq Hariri in February 14, 2005. Hariri was killed along with over 20 other people in a massive bombing in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Set up nearly two years later to investigate the incident, the US-backed STL is expected to announce its findings by the end of 2010. Earlier reports indicated that the court planned to issue an indictment against members of the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbullies. Hezbullies has rejected the allegations, saying the plot was part of "a dangerous project that is targeting the resistance," and being one-sided in line with Israeli interests. Major political figures and parties in Leb have also condemned the indictment, calling it a US-Israeli plot to sow discord in Leb. In an August public address, Hezbullies Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered detailed speeches pointing to Tel Aviv's role in Hariri's murder. The televised address featured video materials, captured by Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles, and recorded confessions by Israeli fifth columnists, substantiating that Tel Aviv had been behind the terror attack. Different Lebanese factions have also accused the US-sponsored STL of using false witnesses, who reportedly gave unreliable testimonies to the international probe into Hariri's 2005 liquidation. Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed the importance of tightening security in the Persian Gulf and said all regional countries will benefit from a secure region. "However, The infamous However... all countries in the region will become insecure and suffer from insecurity if regional security is undermined," the Leader pointed out. Ayatollah Khamenei assessed as "very important" the issue of unity between Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region. "Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region have had years of peaceful coexistence, but certain (countries) seek to damage this friendly atmosphere and turn certain differences of opinion between Shias and Sunnis into a social difference," he went on to say. The Leader emphasized that there are "mercenaries and prejudiced individuals on both sides," adding, "This issue should be controlled both in terms of beliefs and security." The Qatari emir, for his part, praised relations between Tehran and Doha and said, "The two countries have always enjoyed similar political stances." He expressed hope the two countries will further promote relations in other fields. Al Thani highlighted the significance of maintaining unity among Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region, saying certain countries intend to hatch a fresh plot in Leb. He expressed his country's readiness to prevent such a conspiracy and act based on regional interests in cooperation with countries in the region. The Qatari emir arrived in Tehran on Monday at the head of a high-ranking delegation on an official day-long visit. Earlier on the day, Al Thani held talks with Iran's diminutive President Mahmoud Short RoundAhmadinejad on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments. |
| Posted by:Fred |