Iran pledges to support Palestinians

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has pledged the Islamic Republic's enduring support for the Palestinian cause, urging a united regional front against Israel. “The cause of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the support for resistance will never be taken off the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said President Ahmadinejad in an interview with the Lebanese-based al-Manar TV, quoted by the presidential website on Wednesday. “The Zionist regime is tasked with creating constant instability in the region in order to pave the way for the presence and interference of hegemonic powers in the area. Therefore, to confront this regime would be to confront the hegemonic system and the world's oppressors and enslavers,” he added. The Iranian chief executive further said that the issue of al-Quds is a global one and as such controlling the core issue to the Muslim world is of ultimate significance. President Ahmadinejad also pointed out that any nation who supports humanity needs “to seek the disappearance of the Zionist regime (Israel) as the global symbol of oppression and discrimination.” He underlined the need for a united regional front against the US and Israel and warned regional countries against following in the footsteps of the enemy. He went on to say that Israel was established based on materialism, and represented all the hegemonic powers that seek to run the world through “chicanery and egotism”. Regarding Palestinians' efforts to gain the UN recognition for a Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders, President Ahmadinejad said the Palestinian state already exists, but the hegemonic system has been trying to replace it with a fake regime. He stated that Iran has always believed that the Palestinian land belongs to Palestinians, but added that the Islamic Republic supports the formation of a Palestinian government. This comes as Muslims all across the world are expected to take part in the International Quds Day rallies on Friday to voice their support for Palestinians. Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, designated the last Friday of Ramadan as the International Quds Day, during which Muslims across the world hold rallies to show their solidarity for Palestinians.