Khamenei talks unity after health rumors

TEHRAN, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described unity for the Islamic world as a priority for Iran, discrediting some of the rumors regarding his health.

Khamenei met during the weekend with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade to discuss the economic relationship between the two countries.

The supreme leader referred to the Senegalese presidency over the Organization of the Islamic Conference as a sign of its responsibility to stand in solidarity on the Palestinian issue, he said in statements published on his Web site.

"The main goal of establishing such an organization was to follow up the Palestinian issue and therefore the OIC bears a heavy responsibility and enjoys high capacity for playing a role in this regard," the ruling cleric said.

Wade, for his part, commended the leader and the "important status" that Iran enjoyed in the Islamic world.

His comments follow rumors circulated last week that suggested Khamenei had slipped into a coma or even died.

Rumors are abundant over the status of the health of the leader; most accounts suggest he might be suffering from some form of cancer.