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Imam Khamenei Slams West over Zionist Media Comments on Iran Protests

Imam Khamenei Slams West over Zionist Media Comments on Iran Protests
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Local Editor, 31-12-2009

After Western countries condemned the crackdown on anti-government protesters during the religious ceremony of Ashoura in Iran, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution responds by saying that such comments have their roots in sheer "malice."

During a Wednesday meeting with members of the Islamic Association of Students in Europe, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said the Western condemnation of the recent events in Iran has been provoked under the influence of "Zionist media."

The remarks come days after anti-government protesters took to some central and downtown streets in Tehran, hijacking the Ashoura ceremonies, during which people commemorate the 7th century death of Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH). Protesters reportedly chanted slogans against top Iranian government officials and damaged public buildings and properties. Iranian police forces used tear gas to disperse protesters.

US President Barack Obama, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the European Union were quick to criticize the reports of the Sunday protests, issuing statements deploring the use of force against protesters.

Referring to the statements, Ayatollah Khamenei said such remarks come as a result of sheer "malice" and "selfish efforts to distort reality."

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government said the US is trying to "spread violence" in Iran to destabilize the Islamic Republic. "The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the attempts at destabilization promoted by the US government against the people and government of Iran," Reuters quoted Venezuela's foreign ministry as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Bolivarian government is surprised that a group of governments, led by the US empire, are echoing a campaign to divide and spread violence among Iranians, in contravention of elemental norms of peace, non-interference and respect for sovereignty," it added.

The statement also expressed solidarity with Iran and praised the country for "its tireless struggle for the consolidation of the Islamic Revolution."

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