[IMRA: The Asharq al-Awsat report denied in this article included the actual
voice recording on their Arabic website]
Hamas Figure Appreciates Iran’s Continued Support
News ID: 988005 Service: World
February, 01, 2016 - 15:57
http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/02/01/988005/hamas-figure-appreciates-iran-s-continued-support

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Khalil Abu Leila, a leader of Palestinian Resistance
Movement, Hamas, dismissed media reports on a cut in Iran’s support for the
movement, and stressed that Tehran is still assisting the resistance, for
which Hamas is grateful.

London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, which is funded by the Saudi royal
family, claimed on Sunday that Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, a senior
political member of Hamas, had pounced on Iran regarding their proclamations
of supporting Hamas, after cashing them in all as lies, especially those
declarations on support being presented post 2009.

Abu Marzook’s alleged ‘aversion’ was quoted by the newspaper as being
recorded over a leaked phone call.

Abu Leila told the Tasnim News Agency on Monday that those who publish such
reports are the enemies of the Palestinian nation and resistance.

There is no doubt that reports about the words and sentences attributed to
Abu Marzook are not correct, he said, stressing that Iran has always been a
supporter of the resistance movement.

“We appreciate Iran for the support it has provided for the resistance,” the
Palestinian leader said.

Iran has committed itself to supporting the Palestinian Resistance because
the liberation of the holy Quds and the Palestinian nation is deeply-rooted
in all Arab and Islamic countries, he underlined.

“I believe the relations between Iran and Hamas are good and getting back to
the previous track,” he said, referring to the “slight downturn in ties”
between the two sides because of the Syrian crisis.

“Iran has held a firm stance on the issues of Palestine, Islamic sanctities,
and Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Abu Leila went on to say.