Hamas: Ayatollah will have major role in Palestine

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal met on Monday with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the spiritual leader of Iran. At the meeting he continued the Hamas leaders' recent run of more moderate rhetoric, not calling for Israel's destruction but instead railing against the "Zionist occupation." "The Ayatollah's regime will have an extensive role in Palestine," said Mashaal. During the meeting Khamenei declared that Hamas's victory in the elections is a victory for all Muslims and encouraged Mashaal to continue in the armed struggle against Israel, Army Radio reported. Mashaal is set to meet with Iranian President Ahmadinejad on Wednesday. Meetings with Russian and Venezuelan officials are also on the horizon.