Iran leader hails Hizbollah's 'victory for Islam'

BEIRUT - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sent a letter to Hizbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah praising the Lebanese guerrilla group's "victory" over Israel, saying it was a victory for Islam.

"Your gift to the Muslim nation with your holy struggle and steadfastness is beyond the limits of my description," Khamenei said in the letter broadcast by the group's al-Manar television station.

"You were able with the help of God to prove that military superiority is not measured by numbers, weapons, planes, warships and tanks, but rather by the power of faith, holy struggle and sacrifice."

Hizbollah has claimed victory in the 34-day war that erupted after the Shi'ite Muslim group capture of two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border operation. A UN-brokered truce halted the fighting on Monday.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all state matters in Shi'ite-dominated Iran, said earlier this month that his country would not abandon supporting Hizbollah against Israel.

Israel and the United States accuse Iran of bankrolling and providing Hizbollah with missiles capable of reaching deep inside the Jewish state. Although Iran armed and funded the guerrilla group in the 1980s, Tehran now insists it provides only moral support.

In his latter, Khamenei said Hizbollah "has ridiculed the myth saying the Israeli army was invincible."

"Your victory was a victory for Islam. You have forced your military supremacy against the Zionist enemy," he said.

He also launched a scathing attack against US President George W. Bush for declaring that Israel's attacks were an act of self-defence.

At least 1,100 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, were killed during the war. Hizbollah attacks killed at least 157 Israelis.

Khamenei ended his letter saying: "I salute you, salute all the brothers and heroes in the arena of holy struggle, and kiss your hands and arms."

- REUTERS