Iran FM Brands Gaza Cease-fire a Defeat for "Israel"

Source: Al-Manar TV, 19-01-2009

Iran's foreign minister on Sunday branded "Israel's" unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as a sign of its defeat.
Manouchehr Mottaki says a cease-fire without the withdrawal of "Israeli" occupation forces from Gaza cannot guarantee an end to clashes. Only reopening the crossings can restore calm, he added in Sunday's statement.

"Israel" announced a unilateral cease-fire on Sunday after a 22-day aggression against the Gaza Strip. Iranian officials were vocal in their support for Hamas from the beginning of the "Israeli" offensive.

On January 4, the speaker of Iran's parliament was quoted as saying Gaza will become "Israel's" graveyard. Last Thursday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to stop supporting "Israel". Ahmadinejad said the fighting in Gaza between Palestinian resistance fighters and "Israel" has shown that "it is not feasible" for "Israel's" "Zionist regime to continue to live in the region."