Tehran, 2005/12/21 IRIB

A ceremony was held Wednesday December 21 in Imam Ali Army Cadets University with the Iran's Supreme Leader in attendance to mark the wrapping of the third round of joint military training program. In the beginning of the ceremony, the Supreme Leader reviewed a parade in honor of the lofty position of nation's martyrs.

Ayatollah Khamenei, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces,called IRI's armed forces the symbol of national might and sovereignty and said that, today, it is a source of honor to be among army personnel. He noted that the country's armed forces are the soldiers of lofty human aspirations, because besides taking the task of national defense, they are going to defend human dignity.

He touched on the threats poised by the world hegemony, with America as the mastermind, over world nations, saying, in these conditions, nations have no option but to become powerful, rely on God, take self-confidence and rely on their own inner might.

Ayatollah Khamenei said nations may not become powerful unless they gain progress in economic, scientific and political arenas.

He described boosted military and defensive powers as one of the most important needs of nations in the current conditions and said that the preparedness of armed forces and their robust presence alongside nation will bring in national trust and tranquility.

The commander-in-chief of the armed forces put military training, maintaining discipline, promoting faith and observing Islamic ethics top on agenda for armed forces and stressed on cordial cooperation among military forces and organizations especially by sharing experiences.

During the ceremony, Brigadier General Poordastasn who heads Imam Ali Army Cadets University, gave a report on the university's military ceremony. Meanwhile, a number of families of martyrs and war veterans as well as some university students and teachers received awards and military badges from the commander-in-chief.

 Khamenei-Armed Forces-Faith