Iran's president pledges support to Hamas leader
Ahmadinejad meets delegation led by politburo chief Mashaal, says 'Palestine is symbol of the global front of freedom-seekers and militants'
Iran's official news agency says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reiterated his support for Hamas during a visit by the Palestinian militant group's Syrian-based leader.
The report on Sunday said Ahmadinejad met the Hamas delegation led by group's political leader, Khaled Mashaal.
"The government and the people of Iran will always stand by the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinian people," Ahmadinejad said during the meeting. "Today Palestine is symbol of the global front of freedom-seekers and militants."
The Iranian president added that "the barbarian acts committed by leaders of the Zionist regime and the marionette theater of the American regime leaders will not save the regime ruling the world."
He reiterated that "the Zionist regime and the global arrogance (referring to the United States) will collapse and the same time and shortly."
Iran does not recognize Israel and supports Lebanese-based Hezbollah and Hamas – two of the chief militant groups fighting the Jewish state.
