Cleric: Egypt protesters inspired by Iran revolution

Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri has blamed the ruling system under Hosni Mubarak for the socio-political deadlock in the country and said “the oppressive regime has demoted the status of Egypt to serve the Zionist regime [of Israel].”

Speaking at a press conference held prior to the International Unity Conference in Tehran, Ayatollah Taskhiri said “Mubarak even made constitutional changes to bring his son into power after he quits power.”

Ayatollah Taskhiri referred to the religious nature of Egypt revolution and said “that the two revolution of Egypt and the Islamic Revolution of Iran which occurred in 1979 are funded on the principles of Islam and those who deny the similarities between the two revolutions are making mistakes.”

He said that the ongoing developments multiplied the importance of the 24th international Unity Conference which is expected to run in Tehran with “the thoughtful solutions and applicable of proximity” on top of its agenda. Participants also discuss Muslim world developments.

The International Unity Conference is scheduled to open on 19 February and will end on Feb 21, 2011.
Some 250 Muslim figures from 57 countreis have been invited from all across the world, including the authority of Brotherhood Movement in Europe and Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is expected to address the meeting.