TEHRAN, Jan. 09 (MNA) – President Hassan Rouhani has paid posthumous tribute to Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani in a ceremony to mourn his death on Monday.

Mr. Rouhani told in the ceremony that the late ayatollah was a figure of unparalleled loyalty to the Islamic Revolution and its founder Imam Khomeini in the toughest times of the Revolution of 1979; “he was indefatigable in his path and lofty goals, and remained unwavering in supporting the Revolution; after the war, he appeared in attire of a savior of the economy and built anew a country devastated by the war and disintegrated after the Revolution,” Rouhani said.

“In most formative years of the Revolution, Hashemi Rafsanjani provided help for Imam Khomeini, then in exile in Paris; he was the head of Supreme Council of War and dealt with the difficult situations with exemplary perseverance and equanimity,” Rouhani continued in paying tribute to a figure who was his greatest support during 2013 presidential elections.

“No less important was Ayatollah Hashemi’s good offices in election to the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei within 24 hours of Imam’s demise; he had stood with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and was a close friend and a great adviser in hard times; his mind was with the nation and would spare no opportunity to serve his nation with good faith,” added the president, calling the whole nation for unity and solidarity in the road to prepare the Revolution for the place it should have stood now.

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