Leader calls for a safe Persian Gulf via cooperation

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Ali Khamenei called on the regional countries to turn the Persian Gulf into “a safe and prosperous region and a place for cooperation,” in talks with the Qatari Emir on thursday.

Imam Khamenei said enemies are trying to prevent such unity among regional countries.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Tehran on Thursday.

The Leader also urged further cooperation among the Islamic countries, saying “All countries in the region should make efforts to prevent the materialization of foreign desires.”

Imam Khamenei also blamed certain Arab states for their inactions against Israeli wars on Lebanon in 2006 and on Gaza Strip in 2009.

“Unfortunately some Arab states have not adopted a good stance (over the wars),” the Leader told the Qatari Emir.

Imam Khamenei also called for the expansion of economic and regional ties between the two Persian Gulf littoral states.

The Emir of Qatar, who is on an official visit to the Iranian capital for talks with high-ranking officials, praised the stance taken by the Islamic Republic regarding the Palestinian issue.

Al-Thani also urged the regional countries to make efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.

He added that the Islamic states should resist against the plots hatched by outsiders.

Earlier, al-Thani discussed a range of regional and international issues with Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.