Visiting Palestinian Hamas movement's political bureau chief Khalid Mashaal has been warmly greeted by Iranian officials who have frequently expressed their all-out support for the Palestinians and its "legal representative" Hamas.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) speaks with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal with the aid of a translator (C) during a meeting in Tehran, February 1, 2009. [Xinhuanet.com]

While inviting Mashaal to participate in a Majlis (parliament) assembly on Tuesday, Iran's Speaker Ali Larijani voiced the support of the country's officials and lawmakers for the Palestinians, promising Mashaal that "(his) Majlis is earnestly keeping an eye on Palestine's issues."

On Monday, a rally was held in the Tehran University to welcome Mashaal, who addressed the rally with a call for the continuation of Iran's defense for Palestinians.

"We call on you to continue with the steps to support the people of Gaza, because the battle is not over," Meshaal said, adding "we still have a battle, the battle of lifting the siege of Gaza, the opening of the border crossings."

The participants hailed Mashaal's speech with cheering slogans and placards showing the support of the resistances in Gaza and the condemnation against "crimes of the Zionist regime."

While meeting with Mashaal, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also outlined his administration's willingness to meet the urgent needs of Palestinians for the quick reconstruction of Gaza.

He also urged for helping the Palestinian people and reopening of the crossroads leading to the Gaza Strip, while putting "the Zionist regime" under political pressure in order to prevent continued Israeli aggression on Gaza.

As a sign of political support for Gazans, Ahmadinejad also urged the United Nations to bring Israeli leaders to justice for "crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza."

Unearthing his inclination for Iran's never-ending sympathy for the Palestinians, Hamas leader praised Tehran for playing a "big role" in what he described as the "victory of Gaza's people."

Mashaal said the "people of Gaza ... have always appreciated the political and spiritual support of Iranian leaders and nation."

"Iran has definitely played a big role in the victory of the people of Gaza and is a partner in that victory," he told Ahmadinejad.

At a joint press conference with Mashaal, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Sunday that "now it was important to relieve the sufferings of Gaza residents and restore the enclave destroyed during the 22-day aggression by the Zionist regime."

Mottaki spoke for an immediate lifting of the Gaza blockade and the reopening of the Gaza port and border crossings for the delivery of humanitarian cargoes.

Mottaki also urged other countries to "take maximum efforts to reconstruct Gaza and offer help to the needy people through the legitimate Hamas government."

Praising Palestinians' "victory" in the 22-day war against Israel, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seied Ali Khamenei also said in a meeting with Mashaal on Sunday that Iran was prepared to help the oppressed people of Gaza to reconstruct the territory.

The Iranian leader also urged the trial of "the Zionist regime leaders" for committing "war crimes" against the people of Gaza in the recent war.

Mashaal, for his part, lauded Iranian government and people's support for the Palestinians and briefed Ayatollah Khamenei on the developments during the 22-day Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

Mashaal arrived in Tehran on Sunday for talks with senior Iranian officials on major regional and international issues. The visit is a part of his regional tour that "previously took him to Egypt, Qatar, Syria and Turkey."

Iran never hesitated to pronounce its all-out support for Hamas during the three-week unprecedented Israeli military offensive on Gaza, during which about 1,400 Palestinians were killed and 5,500 others wounded.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2009)