Jannati : ‘STL taking revenge for Israel’s defeat’

An Iranian cleric says the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is “ceremonial,” adding that the US-funded court cannot make up for Israel’s defeat from Hezbollah in the 33-day war.

Addressing worshippers in the Iranian capital on Friday, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati blamed the US and Israel for involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq Hariri and accused them of manipulating the international court charged with probing the murder.

Ayatollah Jannati said that the US-funded tribunal was set up to help Washington and Tel Aviv avenge the losses the Israeli army suffered in its confrontation with Hezbollah forces during the war on Lebanon in 2006.

“The Americans and Israelis interfere in this tribunal. The court’s investigation committee reveals intelligence to the enemy and this tribunal is ceremonial and funded by the US,” the cleric said.

“They want to avenge the defeat in the 33-day war with this propaganda against Hezbollah,” he pointed out.

Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers leader, however, downplayed the move as futile. “Hezbollah is strong and is God’s party, and the Americans should know that this party of God is invincible,” Ayatollah Jannati stated.

He further condemned Israel for practicing terrorism and the US for backing and promoting terror, reminded worshipers of the allocation of USD 3.7 trillion by Washington to fund the bloody invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ayatollah Jannati also condemned the killing of more than one million people in the prolonged wars.

On the issue of Bahrain, the Iranian cleric described the foreign forces involved in the crackdown of Bahraini protesters as “US forces disguised as Saudi troops.”

He criticized the NATO strikes in Libya for taking a heavy toll on civilians, as forces loyal to the country’s long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi engage in the murder of revolutionaries.

Ayatollah Jannati cautioned revolutionaries in countries swept by the wave of Islamic Awakening to be alert so that their movements do not end up with the same establishments and different dictators.