|
Rafsanjani: Iran holds the key to security in the Middle East |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 26 November 2007 |
Iran Focus
 Tehran, Iran, Nov. 26 – The Islamic Republic holds the key to security in the Middle East, Iran’s former president Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Monday.
"The world owes its security to that of the strategic Middle East region. Everyone knows that the key to security in the Middle East is in the hands of Iran”, said Rafsanjani, who chairs the State Expediency Council (SEC), a constitutional body that arbitrates in disputes between Iran’s parliament and the Guardians Council.
Rafsanjani made the remarks while meeting a group of former provincial officials.
His remarks came on the eve of a major peace conference hosted by the United States in Annapolis, Maryland, where officials from over 40 countries, including 16 Arab states, will discuss the steps forward towards a future Palestinian state.
Separately, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the Annapolis conference was “doomed to failure”.
By holding the conference, the U.S. hopes to “give assistance to the Zionists [Israel">”, he told members of the para-military Bassij force at a parade that was aired live on state television.
In mid-October, Khamenei urged all Muslim countries to boycott the meeting.
“Efforts are being made to once again make an imposition on the Palestinian people in the name of peace” he said at the time. “The result of all conferences held in the name of peace so far have been to the detriment of the Palestinian nation”.
To Tehran’s embarrassment however, key regional ally Syria and oil powerhouse Saudi Arabia have both sent delegations to the conference which commences on Tuesday.
The U.S. accuses Iran of arming and funding Hamas, which has seized control of the Gaza Strip and openly declared its opposition to the Annapolis conference. |
