by Ezra HaLeviIran and the Palestinian Authority cement their alliance with a first-time meeting between their leaders. Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad tells Haniyeh of Hamas that IsraelÂ’s demise is within reach.
Ahmadinejad met on Friday with Hamas Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Doha, Qatar.
Ahmadinejad, who is pursuing nuclear capabilities at breakneck speed, assured Haniyeh that Israel is "on the verge of disappearing," according to IranÂ’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
"As everybody knows, the Zionist regime was created to establish dominion of arrogant states over the region and to enable the enemy to penetrate the heart Muslim land," Ahmadinejad explained, reiterating a theory he has outlined in public forums ever since he came to power.
Haniyeh, whose Islamist Hamas group enjoys much financial and logistical support from Iran, thanked Ahmadinejad for the assistance. "The Iranian nation's brilliant stand in the rightful battles of the Palestinians encourages them and signifies their deep understanding of Islamic principles," IRNA quoted him as saying Saturday. "The Intifada of the Palestinian nation will continue until the cause of the Palestinians is materialized and Jerusalem is liberated."
Ahmadinejad assured Haniyeh that IsraelÂ’s destruction is no longer a dream, but well within reach. "Today, scores of Western politicians are in doubt as to the future of this illegitimate regime and its existence has come under question. There is no doubt the Palestinian nation and Muslims as a whole will emerge victorious," he said.
On Friday, Ahmadinejad, Haniyeh and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad joined Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Kuwait's Prime Minister Nasser al-Hamad Al Sabah at the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games.
Hamas chief Haniyeh was the only visitor to the games received at QatarÂ’s airport by the countryÂ’s Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, according to QatarÂ’s news agency.
