Iran's Khamenei: Norouz Festivities Marred By Violence In Libya And Region

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today said the country's Norouz festivities have been spoiled by "bitter incidents" in Libya, Bahrain, and Yemen.

Khamenei was speaking on national television to mark Norouz. He said he hopes that "God will punish those who have chosen enmity against their own people."

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has condemned Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi's regime for killing protesters and supported the Libyan opposition. But Tehran has reacted skeptically to the UN-backed military intervention against Qaddafi.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on March 20 said world powers had a record of intervening militarily in their own interest.

compiled from agency reports