The leader reiterated, "During that period the nation was witness to hard and serious efforts made by government officials, the fruits of which is advancement of the country in industrial, agricultural, scientific, and technological fields, and the Almighty Allah, too, would reward them benevolently for such services." His honor considered transfer of power from one hand to the other as "the best way of governance, and the sweetest and best fruits of Islam and the revolution, adding, "This brotherhood attitude and kindness among you that results in peaceful transfer of power should be preserved as the foundation of Islamic democracy and the next government, too, should relying on the precious experience of this cabinet keep paving the same bright path."

Referring to the grandeur of Iran's history, the pride in Iranian nation's conduct in different eras, and the material and human resort at disposal of this nation, the leader stressed, "All those who have a presence as the servants of this nation at executive scene should relying on continuous efforts and to the best of their might proceed at least one step forward, so that in the long run the Iranian nation would achieve its deserved status."

Ayatollah Khamenei considered President Khatami's management era "full of bitter and sweet experiences", emphasizing, "the end of your missions does not mark the end of your responsibilities toward this nation."

The leader considered one of the characteristics of President Khatami's cabinet as "their vivaciousness and their efforts for the grandeur of Iran and Islam to the last minute of their tenure." Ayatollah Khamenei also praised President Khatami's exalted personality, emphasizing, "Thanks to his positive personality, the spiritual bonds between the leadership of the system and the president is stronger than ever before in past eight years today."

He referred to Khatami's piety and innate nobility as his exalted personality traits, saying, "Throughout these past eight years Mr. President was not only faced with a huge amount of hard work, but also with various events, that he patiently tolerated."

President Khatami, too, appreciating the leader's guidance and support throughout the past eight years, said, "Today we are leaving our posts to new hands under such conditions that the perspective of Iran's next 20 years is drafted with exalted objectives and a bright and realistic horizon based on country's Fourth Development Plan, that is proof for country's high potentials, capabilities, stability, and security."

(IRNA)