TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) – Head of Expediency Council Strategic Center has said western countries have only condemned ISIL after it has ceased to benefit their interests in the region.

Ali Akbar Velayati who was speaking on the sidelines of a small gathering called ‘Examination of Iran’s Regional and International Policies,’ in Iran’s Army Navy headquarters in Tehran on Saturday, said that the resolution demanding that aid be cut on ISIL came only belatedly, while the terrorist group had already devastated large part of Iraq and Syria and committed heinous crimes; “west supported ISIL since the wake of the crisis in Syria; now they have been abashed by the crimes of the group, and since ISIL has ceased to benefit their interests, western countries have come to condemn the group; the west should be held responsible for crimes by ISIL,” Velayati told the reporters who asked him about his idea of the UN resolution.

Velayati held that those behind ISIL should be brought to the court in international justice organizations; “they should be tried as war criminals,” he asserted.

About the official positon that Bashar al-Assad of Syria was a redline for Iran, Leader’s adviser believed that Syrian government and Mr. Assad himself had succeeded to stand against a small but very critical battle during past 5 years; “for 5 years, world hegemonic powers have entered battle agasint Syrian government; in any election inside Syria, definitely, no other candidate than Mr. Assad would canvass votes of the majority of the public, and the Islamic Republic of Iran evaluates Syrian government and people as loyal to the resistance line and cause,” he emphasized.

“Parties outside Syria are in no place to decide on behalf of Syrian people; the future government of Syria should be elected by the people inside,” Velayati told reporters. 

Turning to Nigeria developments and the reaching of Islamic Awakening to this West African country Velayati asserted that “the Awakening in Nigeria goes back to 200 years ago, and Mr. Zakzaky is only a recent phenomenon and indefatigable warrior in the Shia cause, which had won the hearts of many people in Nigeria,” he added.

“Shiism was not native to Nigeria as it is now; the appeal of the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Awakening which are championed by Iran, had a critical factor in channeling the minds and hearts of millions of people to the cause represented by Imam Khomeini (RA) and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution; their numbers soared in that they could organize Arbaeen rallies in streets,” Velayati detailed.

Velayati voiced Iran’s official policy demanding that Sheikh Zakzaky be respected and released from detention, and that the attackers to his religious procession be indicted and tried.

 

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