Opposing world bullies, a divine principle: Leader

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says opposing bullying by world powers is a “divine and Islamic principle.”

The Leader made the remark in a meeting with visiting Kyrgyzstani President Almazbek Atambayev, which was also attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Saturday.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the recent remarks by President Atambayev regarding Kyrgyzstan’s intentions to discontinue access by the US military forces to the Kyrgyzstani Manas air base, and emphasized the need to counter bullying behavior by world powers. 

“Hegemonic and aggressor powers constantly conspire against all nations in the world; but, Islam seeks the dignity of Muslims nations; and the sole way to oppose and ward off the powers’ evil is resisting and strengthening the relations of Muslim countries,” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.

The Manas Transit Center near the Kyrgyzstani capital of Bishkek had been used since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

In June 2013, the Kyrgyzstani parliament gave Washington until July 2014 to close its base.

The Leader also noted that the basis of Iran’s foreign policy is enhancing the relations between Islamic countries.

The Kyrgyzstani president arrived in Tehran on Friday for an official three-day visit at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation. Atambayev’s visit is taking place upon the official invitation of his Iranian counterpart.

During the meeting with the Leader, President Atambayev, for his part, said he was pleased to be visiting Iran and said the Islamic Republic and Kyrgyzstan are two two nations with brotherly ties and a common religion, history and culture.

“The spirit of seeking freedom and independence is there in both nations,” the Kyrgyzstani president said.

Earlier in the day, President Rouhani and his visiting Kyrgyzstani counterpart held a joint press conference, during which the Iranian chief executive emphasized the enhancement of intelligence, political and security cooperation between the two countries in the campaign against terrorism and extremism.

During the presser, President Rouhani also called for the expansion of economic relations with Kyrgyzstan, particularly after the conclusion of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in mid-July.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 countries – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – finalized the text of the JCPOA in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

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