Iran ‘frontline defender’ of Palestinian cause, says Hezbollah official

Sheikh Hassan al-Baghdadi, a member of Hezbollah’s central council, made the remarks during a ceremony held in Beirut on Friday to commemorate the 33rd death anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini.

“Tehran extends its helping hand to any upright person, who wants to protect his country or liberate it from the throes of occupation,” the official was quoted as saying.

He also recalled the Islamic Republic’s unflinching support to Lebanon during the war to liberate the southern part of the country from the Israeli military occupation in the early 2000s.

The Israeli regime waged two wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. On both occasions, the occupying regime was forced to beat a humiliating retreat thanks to Hezbollah’s spirited resistance and heroic defense of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“In Lebanon [too], the Islamic Republic has had the upper hand by supporting us in [our efforts] to liberate the south and protect it against invasion,” al-Baghdadi remarked.

Imam Khomeini’s life and legacy

He spoke at length about Imam Khomeini’s life and legacy, hailing the late founder of the Islamic Revolution for laying the foundation of a revolution independent of the east and west.

The Revolution has turned into “a model of reformation and defense of Muslims’ interests,” the Lebanese official stated.

Al-Baghdadi was referring to the slogan raised by Imam Khomeini after the glorious triumph of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, rejecting both western and eastern power blocs.

Imam Khomeini spearheaded the revolution that overthrew the US-backed monarchy in Iran and effectively closed the long chapter of Western interference in the country.

Friday marked the 33rd death anniversary of the charismatic leader, who passed away on June 3, 1989.

’Trust in US recipe for failure’

Al-Baghdadi also addressed people in his country who he asserted have placed their trust in the hands of the United States, referring to anti-revolutionary elements.

“To those who continue to count on Americans to pile up pressure on those who liberated Lebanon from the [scourge of] the Israelis and [the Takfiri terrorist group of] Daesh, we say ‘you should despair’…we assure you that you will not achieve a positive result,” the official said.

“We will not allow you and your masters to destroy [even] an iota of the Lebanese soil and the Lebanese reputation in favor of the Israeli enemy,” the Hezbollah official asserted.