ZANJAN (IRNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Wednesday called on officials to appreciate and utilize the expertise of the elite in different fields including science, arts, culture, sports, production, industry and agriculture.

Addressing a group of elite in this western Iranian province on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said helping the elite is in fact helping the process which influences both the present and future of the country.

So, said the Supreme Leader, all officials and managers must act in such a way as to keep alive the talents, potential and merits of the elite.

Serving masses is "the most valuable type of worshipping", Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that serving the noble Iranian nation would be a chance to win the consent of the God Almighty.

Ayatollah Khamenei said officials and managers must seize the chance of serving masses.

Underscoring the "high importance" of unity and solidarity among officials in various ranks on the bases of general principles of the Islamic system and the Islamic and revolutionary values, Ayatollah Khamenei said the enemy has been doing its utmost to divide officials and sow discord among managerial ranks.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that thanks to God Almighty, the enemy has failed to divide the top-ranking officials. Officials of the middle rank, however, should maintain full vigilance and refrain from any dissension and rift, said the Supreme Leader, adding that the middle-ranking officials should not allow the media networks, running under control of Zionists and the arrogant powers, to magnify certain issues and viewpoints to reach their goals against the Islamic system of Iran and the Iranian nation.

Leader also said on Tuesday that the Iranian nation will continue to hoist the banner, raised by the esteemed martyrs of the land in defense of Islam, the revolution and Iran.

"As martyrs taught us, we will resist enemies while maintaining our unity and will continue following their highly respectable path in light of efforts and progress in all fields," the Supreme Leader said in an address to a group of bereaved families of martyrs in western province of Zanjan on Tuesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei said devotion of martyrs, and of the war disabled, resistance of war veterans, and perseverance of the bereaved families of the people and Iranian nation from different strata have brought enemies of the country into their kneels.

Citing patience and resistance of nations against problems as a prelude to their dignity and esteem, Ayatollah Khamenei said the blood of martyrs had created a fresh green garden in the world of Islam and made Iran prosperous, drawing attention of all nations to Iranian nation. He added that the dignity and glory result from faith and perseverance of Iranian nation, particularly the dear families of martyrs and the war disabled.

The Supreme Leader said struggles of martyrs and other war veterans had brought tranquility, security and progress for Iranian nation and the memory of the Muslim combatants on the scene of devotion and resistance would never be put into oblivion by Iranian nation.