Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday, referred to close political views held by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Algeria on a host of regional and international issues, saying: “Besides close political views, the Iranian nation has always had a positive view of the country and people of Algeria, and this issue is a result of the Algerian people’s struggles against colonialism throughout the Algerian revolution (1954-1962).”
Ayatollah Khamenei said heartfelt and spiritual relations between nations provide the ground for the expansion of cooperation, particularly in the economic field, adding: “The level of Iran-Algeria cooperation is very low and we hope that following this trip and with the establishment of a joint [economic] commission in the near future, and also after [the forthcoming] visit to Algeria by [Iran's First Vice President] Mr. [Es’haq] Jahangiri, economic relations between the two countries would expand day by day.”
Referring to the Algerian prime minister’s remarks about the phenomenon of Daesh and the necessity for regional countries to seriously counter the terrorists that have tarnished the image of Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The issue of Daesh and the terrorists that have spread across the region in the name of Islam is not a normal and natural issue, but these terrorists have been created and are being supported.”
Expressing regret over some regional Muslim countries’ support for Daesh terrorists, and referring to the support provided by the United States and the enemies of Islam for these terrorists, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Muslim countries that are sympathetic and are more understanding toward each other can reach a practical solution for countering terrorists through dialogue and cooperation.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the resistance front that had been established by Algeria, Iran, Syria and several other countries in the early years following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying: “Some countries that follow in the footsteps of America, blocked the continuation of activities of that group, but it seems that the ground is now prepared for the formation of such a group comprising Muslim countries with common views.”
“If such a group is established, these Muslim countries will be able to sway influence on important issues of the Islamic world and take practical measures for [solving] the problems in the region and fighting terrorists,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that “Mr. [Abdelaziz] Bouteflika, the president of Algeria, would recover his health as soon as possible.”
During the meeting, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said the summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran on Monday was a success and referring to his talks with Iranian officials, added: “The views held by Iran and Algeria on political issues, particularly on the issue of fighting against Daesh and terrorists in the region, are very close to each other, and we hope that in the light of negotiations in Tehran, the level of economic relations [between the two countries] would get out of the current situation and reach an acceptable level.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said heartfelt and spiritual relations between nations provide the ground for the expansion of cooperation, particularly in the economic field, adding: “The level of Iran-Algeria cooperation is very low and we hope that following this trip and with the establishment of a joint [economic] commission in the near future, and also after [the forthcoming] visit to Algeria by [Iran's First Vice President] Mr. [Es’haq] Jahangiri, economic relations between the two countries would expand day by day.”
Referring to the Algerian prime minister’s remarks about the phenomenon of Daesh and the necessity for regional countries to seriously counter the terrorists that have tarnished the image of Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The issue of Daesh and the terrorists that have spread across the region in the name of Islam is not a normal and natural issue, but these terrorists have been created and are being supported.”
Expressing regret over some regional Muslim countries’ support for Daesh terrorists, and referring to the support provided by the United States and the enemies of Islam for these terrorists, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Muslim countries that are sympathetic and are more understanding toward each other can reach a practical solution for countering terrorists through dialogue and cooperation.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the resistance front that had been established by Algeria, Iran, Syria and several other countries in the early years following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying: “Some countries that follow in the footsteps of America, blocked the continuation of activities of that group, but it seems that the ground is now prepared for the formation of such a group comprising Muslim countries with common views.”
“If such a group is established, these Muslim countries will be able to sway influence on important issues of the Islamic world and take practical measures for [solving] the problems in the region and fighting terrorists,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that “Mr. [Abdelaziz] Bouteflika, the president of Algeria, would recover his health as soon as possible.”
During the meeting, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said the summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran on Monday was a success and referring to his talks with Iranian officials, added: “The views held by Iran and Algeria on political issues, particularly on the issue of fighting against Daesh and terrorists in the region, are very close to each other, and we hope that in the light of negotiations in Tehran, the level of economic relations [between the two countries] would get out of the current situation and reach an acceptable level.”