'Lebanese people have accomplished things that major Arab states failed to do, thanks to their resistance and valor, he added, hinting at the expulsion of the Western and Zionist regime's army from Lebanese occupied territories.

     'The US has mounted pressure over Syria and Lebanon in an attempt to safeguard the Zionist regime's interests. They seek to obliterate the popular and Islamic resistance in Lebanon, but the US policies is definitely bound to be doomed', he said.

     Ayatollah Khamenei applauded Nabih Berri's decision over extending President Emil Lahoud's mandate. 'The worst sin committed by Mr. Lahoud -- from the viewpoint of US administration -- is throwing weight behind the Islamic resistant groups, and the extension of the president's term is interpreted as a crushing response to Washington', he asserted.

     The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei then, referred to the worn-out US-backed greater Middle East plan and said that the US programs in Iraq, Afghanistan and the occupied lands of Palestine have gone into tailspin, and an unprecedented hatred towards the United States has swept over the region.

     'As far as Iran is concerned, Americans have shown their simpleton traits. The US President released a statement on the day before voting and asked Iranian people to boycott elections, but on the contrary, the people went to polls in massed and gave a tough response to the idiotic act of George Bush', the Supreme leader said, touching upon the 30 million people who went out to vote for their favorite candidates on Friday June 17.

     'George Bush's moves in provoking people to stay at homes have raised criticism from US statesmen and media. Such measures indicate that those who lead the United States of America are a group of unwise rulers, despite their hue and cry', he pointed out.

     The Lebanese parliament speaker, for his turn, congratulated the massive turnout of the Iranian people in Friday's presidential elections and briefed the IRI's Supreme Leader on the latest developments in Lebanon.

     Nabih Berri touched upon the pressures exerted on Syria and Lebanon and said 'certain Western governments, including the United States press Lebanon, under void pretexts such as extending Emil Lahoud's term, in order to disarm Hezbollah on the one hand, and ensure Israel's interest on the other'.

     Berri referred to the recent election-turned-referendum in South Lebanon in support of Islamic resistance and said Lebanon will stand up to the end, despite all pressures.

 (IRIB)