Palestinian PM calls west's support for suppressive regimes historical mistake

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh lashed out at the West for its support for suppressive regimes, such as the Israeli occupying regime, and described the West's attitude as a "historical mistake". "Siding with the occupying regime against the Palestinian nation and siding with regimes and governments against their nations were among the historical mistakes committed by the US-led West," Haniyeh said in an interview with FNA on Tuesday. He blasted the West's interference in the regional and Arab countries' internal affairs, and noted, "If the West wants other nations' respect it should avoid meddling in the other nations' affairs." Haniyeh further said that the Arab nations are vigilant and are trying to revive their political, economic and intellectual independence. However, the Palestinian Prime Minister cautioned that efforts are underway to defame Arab revolutions and misrepresent the realities of the region. He said such attempts are made to portray the recent uprisings as efforts in line with Western democracy, which is not true at all. Earlier, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said that the attempts made by the West to suppress and derail the Islamic movements in the region are futile. Addressing a meeting with thousands of Basijis (volunteer forces) in Tehran late in November, the Supreme Leader stressed, "The wave of Islamic Awakening that has started in Arab countries has influenced the world and the movements in America and Europe are indicative of the great changes that the world will witness in the future." The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed, "These Islamic movements are undoubtedly permanent and progressive. With the awakening of different nations, the puppets of the arrogant powers will leave the scene one after the other and the glory and power of Islam will increase on a daily basis."