Off Topic Iran to The Rescue

Wednesday, February 22nd 2006
Uncategorized

So it begins, even as I predicted it wouldn’t.

Iran pledged on Wednesday to provide financial assistance to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority following threats by Western nations to halt aid to a Hamas-controlled government.

“We will definitely provide financial aid to this government so that they can stand up against the oppression of America,” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was quoted as saying by the semi-official ISNA students news agency.

He was speaking after a meeting with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who is touring regional countries in search of financial support.

“We hope that the new Palestinian government overcomes its current problems with the help of Islamic countries, including Iran,” Larijani said.

U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday said a Hamas-dominated Palestinian Authority should not be funded until it recognised Israel’s right to exist.

U.S. and Israeli officials are concerned that Tehran, which also refuses to recognize Israel, will gain influence over a Hamas-led government, hampering efforts to reach a Middle East peace settlement.