United States is the real enemy of Pakistan’s unity: Iran's Supreme Leader

TEHRAN: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that "real enemies of Pakistani people and their national unity are Western countries, headed by the United States," Tehran Times newspaper reported Monday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari late on Saturday night. Pointing to the religious and cultural affinities between Iran and Pakistan, the Leader praised Pakistani people as “a great nation with a long history of resistance”.

"Pakistani people believe in Islam, and Iran will be pleased with the country’s progress. The only way that Pakistani people have to deal with the current problems of their country is to hold fast to Islam and its instructions,” he noted.

He also expressed hope that God would help rid the Pakistani people of the evil plans of their enemies.

Zardari expressed his pleasure over meeting the Leader shortly after his last visit on June 26 and said believing in God and holding fast to Islam would pave the way for human progress and getting rid of problems.

He said Iranian people and government serve as good models of resistance and move toward progress. Zardari also called for closer ties and regional cooperation with Iran, newspaper report said.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011