TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on officials to maintain unity, warning them to be wary of all enemy plots to create division in the country.

“When the country takes a position or a decision, everyone must back it by maintaining unity,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in an address to the heads of the three branches of government, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and other senior officials in a meeting here on Sunday. It is the duty of the people and officials to strengthen the Ahmadinejad administration and the three branches of government, he added, saying, “Helping the government is helping the country, and that is why I have always supported all governments in general.”

Praising President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his cabinet for their endeavors and hard work, the Leader said that everybody should respect the president, and if anybody wants to criticize the government they should convey their views to officials.

“But publicizing the incompetence of the government, even if it is true, is not right,” he said.

“Criticizing is different than portraying as incompetent.”

Commenting on the recent disputes about the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war and the reasons for accepting UN Resolution 598, Ayatollah Khamenei said it was better if such disputes did not happen but “now that they have happened, it should not be exaggerated as if something important has occurred.”

All political and military officials rendered great service but had some weaknesses in the war, according to which the late Imam Khomeini decided to accept the ceasefire resolution.

“But what came about as the outcome of the abilities, weaknesses, and shortfalls absolutely did not imply defeat or surrender because the Imam (Khomeini) was the symbol of resistance, endurance, and hope and acted according to these factors in all his decisions about the war and his acceptance of the resolution,” he explained.

Bravery with wisdom was the logic of Imam Khomeini and the nature of the Islamic Revolution, he said, adding, “Today, the Islamic system makes its decisions using wisdom and bravery and relying on the capabilities of the faithful Iranian nation and realizes its goals by utilizing logical and correct tactics, based on the needs of the time.”

Pointing to the Islamic Republic’s decision to suspend uranium enrichment activities two years ago, he said, “We probably would have upbraided ourselves today if we hadn’t tried that path, but now we are proceeding with a firm heart and full command and nobody can present a satisfactory reason why the current nuclear path is wrong because we have tried that path.”

Of course, the result of the decision at the time was clear, and one day the public will be informed of what happened at that time through authentic and accurate documents, the Leader noted.

“However, the decision at the time was necessary,” the Leader stated.

“Our policy is clear: progress, the presentation of logical arguments, and insistence on the nation’s right with no backdown,” he added.

“Of course, our goal in the nuclear issue is quite transparent and humanitarian.”

Assembly of Experts and municipal council elections

Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say that the Assembly of Experts and municipal council elections are both important, and the people, officials, and various social and political groups and political activists should feel a sense of responsibility.

He emphasized that the soundness of the election is important, warning the media and all those who use online services to avoid making inflammatory statements which would harm the electoral atmosphere.

The Leader also said government officials and the military should not interfere in the elections or present candidate lists.

The elections should be carried out in such a way that no government official could affect the results, he suggested.