Iran calls Hezbollah, Hamas most 'noble and popular' groups

Tehran: Hamas and Hezbollah are the most “noble and popular'' groups in the Middle East despite US President George W Bush's accusations that they destabilise the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters on Monday.

In a speech in Egypt a day earlier, Bush called Hezbollah “the enemy of a free Lebanon and all nations," and accused Hamas of “attempting to undermine efforts at peace with acts of terror and violence.''

Iran supports both Hezbollah and Hamas, which the US considers terrorist groups.