Lebanese Shiite cleric: US and Iran can cooperate
Lebanon”s top Shiite cleric said Tuesday he believes cooperation is possible between Iran and the United States under the Obama administration, although he discounted any hope of an alliance between the adversaries.
Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah said in an interview with The Associated Press that he believes President Barack Obama is sincere in trying to improve what the cleric called America”s"ugly image" in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
Fadlallah is a former spiritual guide to the Iran-backed Hezbollah and is still influential with many Shiite militants. In the interview, Fadlallah said his ties with Iran are good despite"divergent viewpoints" on some issues, which he did not explain. Iranian officials who come to Lebanon often visit the cleric.
Since he took office in January, Obama has reached out to Iran publicly in speeches. His administration has also reversed the policy of his predecessor, George W. Bush, and said it is willing to negotiate directly with Iran over its nuclear program, which is one of the main areas of strain.
Obama also has reached out to Syria, which had been isolated by the Bush administration because of its support for militant groups.
During a visit to Turkey last week, Obama addressed the wider Muslim world, declaring that the U.S."is not and never will be at war with Islam."
Fadlallah, who was among those who lashed out at Bush”s policies in the Middle East, acknowledged Obama”s push to improve America”s standing.
"We have heard beautiful words (from Obama). But the problem is what are the realistic means that could turn these words into a reality?" Fadlallah said, echoing similar statements by Iranian officials.
"He (Obama) is trying to improve the image," he said."But the problem is that America is not a state based on individuals. It”s a state based on institutions."
He said support for Israel from some members of the U.S. Congress and pro-Israel lobby groups could pose an obstacle to improving ties with the Arab world.