AYATOLLAH

US is sufferring failure after failure because it lacks good leaders.

Professor Molana of American University in Washington, claims that Annapolis conference was called in order to rebuild lost reputation of President Bush and the nation.

He said US status has been "lost" in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Professor said Israel-Palestinian summit at Annopolis was nothing but political strategy which tried to present to the world image of America as a peace loving nation.

Professor Molana said President Bush has been facing widespread criticism in US for his stragegic mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both wars are being lost by the US.

People want competent leaders in both US and EU, said the Professor.

American plans for Middle East have been defeated due to Iraqi and Lebanese resistence, said an Iranian official.

US plans for the region now lay in ruins thanks to the efforts of the Mahdi Army in Iraq, and the Hezbollah organisation in Lebanon, said Iran's last Foriegn Minister.

He said US had planned to remain in Iraq for decades. US military did not expect fierce reaction to its occupation of the country.

Mehdi Army was formed in late 2003 after the assassination of Ayatollah Bakir al Hakim in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf.

Akbar Walayti said all US plans and policies have now failed in this region. America has totally miscalculated the anger of people against its policies.

Mr Walayti said Iraqis had "forced" America to hold elections. US was opposed to democracy in Iraq. United States planned to place a "friendly regime" in Baghdad. It was resistence by the Mahdi Army in Iraq that led to elections and the defeat for US.

Iraq is now an "Islamic" state, said My Walayti, something which America never wished to see as it invaded the country.

He also praised the "brave" Lebanese group Hezbollah for its war against Israel.

Iranian official said Israel was "defeated" by Hezbollah fighters. Israeli forces were "devestated" last year by the Islamic fighters in what he called a "US-initiated war on Lebanon". Hezbollah victory over Israel "changed the face" of the Middle East.

Iran is now "too powerful for the United States" to be intimidated, said Iranian National Security Advisor, Dr Ali Larijani.

Speaking in northern city of Mashad, Mr Larijani, who is very close to Iran supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said US is not capable of bending Iran. It is growing weaker by the day. America has lost the power to "compel" Iran to back down politically or militarily.

Dr Larijani said world has seen that United States is powerless in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is calling for our help in those countries. Iran has thwarted US plans for Lebanon and Palestine.