President Ahmadinejad Sympathizes With Quake-hit Victims

Tehran, Aug 25, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday that government and all Iranian people share sympathy with people of East Azarbaijan Province over the recent killer quake, which claimed lives of many citizens. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his short-noticed visit to quake-hit areas, President Ahmadinejad asked officials to roll up sleeves and rush aid to the victims. He hoped that the quake-stricken citizens would soon regain peace in light of quick shipment of aid services. The quakes struck East Azarbaijan Province on Saturday afternoon, flattening villages and injuring thousands of people around the towns of Ahar, Varzaqan and Haris, near Tabriz. Up to 17,000 people were reportedly displaced, falling in need of shelter./end