Hariri court manipulated by Zionist regime: Iranian senior advisor to the Supreme Leader

TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) -- Ali Akbar Velayati, Iran`s senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, said the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is under a direct influence of the Zionist regime.

The STL is investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

On Wednesday, 11 ministers of the March 8 Alliance, whose main parties are Hezbollah, Amal, and the Free Patriotic Movement, quit the Lebanese cabinet over tensions arising from the SLT and the indictment expected to be released soon.

“Indeed, the tribunal is a political plot to deal a blow to (the Lebanese’) resistance,” Velayati, a former foreign minister, told reporters in Tehran on Sunday.

He added, “The Hague court has become a political tool in the hands of the influential powers” that are abusing the United Nations and its affiliated organizations.

He also emphasized that the resistance movement in the region must be strengthened to prevent such abuse.

The final victory is with the Lebanese nation, Velayati stated.