"The problem of Mr. Sadr is a very crucial one and has also dealt a blow on us, but I hope that he will come back soon and continue to undertake the tasks which are Islamic and in the interest of the Shi`ah. We should encourage the Shi`ah. You gentlemen should not be disappointed in his absence. God is with righteousness and supports all. You must encourage the Shi`ah. Avoid disunity. God has promised His assistance. Righteousness is on your side. Inspire hope in the people. Rely on yourself in all affairs."
Imam Khomeini made the remarks in a meeting in Neauphle-le-Chateau attended by the Lebanese delegation pursuing Imam Musa Sadr case of kidnapping in Libya.
Then, the representative of the Lebanese delegation, Mr. Sayyid Husayn Husayni, elaborated on the condition of the Lebanese Shi`ah from 1860 onward and also enumerated the crimes committed by the Zionists against them.
He said: The Lebanese Shi`ah have pinned their hopes on the Iranian Shi`ah, their movement and the Islamic Revolution. They consider themselves from Iran, the Iranian movement is that of the Lebanese Shi`ah and they will support it through any possible means.
"I thank you for offering a correct view. From the very beginning, we maintained a clear-cut idea about the Zionists. One of the reasons for our opposition to the Shah was this very relationship with Israel. This very issue has caused the movement of the Iranian people. We have frequently taken the Shah to task in our statements. In the very statement, issued on the oil employees a few days ago, the issue of Israel and Iran's oil were mentioned." Imam said in response.
The representative went onto say that "Our single goal is an Islamic and Shi`i goal. The activities of Mr. Sadr in 8691 led to the formation of the Supreme Islamic Assembly of the Shi`ah. The Harikat al-Mahroumin and Amal movements, the political and military wings of the Shi`i movement, were created. And this happened at a time when the Shi`ah had been disintegrated. They reunited and reorganized them, creating a power for them. The Shi`ah constitute one-third of the Lebanese population and possess forty percent of its territory. The Shi`ah also constitute the largest group in Lebanon. At a time when Harikat al-Mahroumin, led by Imam Mousa Sadr, is continuing its activity and when we believe in Islam and Shi`ism and are inspired by the path of Mousa Sadr, suddenly he is kidnapped, dealing a severe blow on us. It has seriously preoccupied us. It has deprived us of our concentration so that we will not be able to help the Shi`ah of the world, particularly those of Iran…
From Sahifeh-ye Imam, vol. 5, pp. 133-34