Following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which aired on Iranian TV Channel 1 on May 5, 2008.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Some people see only the external aspect of the enemy, and not its ulterior motives. The people who came to occupy Iraq – it seemed as if all they wanted was to take over the region and its oil. But when you peel off the outer layer, you see that their analysis if different. They have realized that something is about to happen in the region. The hand of God is about to emerge and eradicate the injustice in the world. They discuss this among themselves. Look how much attention they have given it. Some people believe the Hidden Imam is living his life somewhere, without any concern for the problems of humanity. If this were the case, there would be no existence at all. Everything would be in chaos. The Hidden Imam manages all the affairs of the world.