Ayatollah Khamenei praises Turkey’s stances on international issues

TEHRAN, Feb. 16 (MNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that Iran is opposed to foreign meddling in Egypt’s internal affairs.
The Leader made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Tehran on Tuesday.
“The Americans are seeking to hijack the great movement of the Egyptian people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to the intervention of foreigners in Egypt and believes that the people should be the main decision-makers,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He also said that Egypt’s three-decade domination by the United States and the Zionist regime, the humiliation of the Egyptian nation, and Islamic motivations were the main causes of the Egyptians’ movement.
After 18 days of protests and demonstrations by millions of Egyptians who called for the departure of Hosni Mubarak and the establishment of a democratic government, on Friday, February 11, Mubarak decided to step aside and transfer power to the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The Iranian nation and government have supported the uprising in Egypt and welcomed the downfall of Mubarak, who ruled Egypt despotically for three decades.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei praised Turkey for adopting an independent policy toward the West, distancing itself from the Zionist regime, inclining toward Islamic countries, and supporting the Palestinian nation.
Iran and Turkey share common views on regional issues, especially issues related to Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, he said.
He highlighted the importance of Islamic unity and said that Muslims should make efforts to avoid falling into the trap of the foreigners who seek to foment discord and division among Islamic nations.
He went on to say that the British government is the main element behind the discord among Muslims.
If the Islamic world realizes its potential and capabilities, it will become a powerful player in the international arena, he added.
The Leader also called the relationship between Iran and Turkey friendly and brotherly and said that the two Islamic countries’ current political and economic relations are unprecedentedly strong.
However, Iran and Turkey should take advantage of this historical opportunity to realize the potential for the enhancement of their relations, he noted.
The Turkish president underlined the importance of maintaining Islamic unity.
Abdullah Gul also said that there is good evidence that the region is changing and expressed hope that the changes would be in the interests of regional nations.