'Rafsanjani's passing, a loss to Muslim world'

TEHRAN, Jan. 09 (MNA) – Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement, expressed condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. Calling Rafsanjani "a great man" and a "protector and supporter" of resistance in the region, Nasrallah lamented Rafsanjani's passing as a loss to the Muslim world. He underlined that Hashemi was a father who defended resistance in every difficult circumstance and at all levels. Hezbollah secretary-general stated, "we never forget Ayatollah Hashemi's position in support of the resistance." "He was pleased with our happiness and distressed with our grief; he was never ignorant to our support in any moment," Hezbollah leader noted. Nasrallah also extended condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei for the tragedy.