Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh Tuesday praised the Story of Resistance film festival for supporting the anti-Israeli resistance movement.

In a message to the international festival’s closing ceremony, Haniyeh insisted on the legitimate right of the Lebanese and Palestinians to stand up to the Zionist regime.

He also referred to the anniversary of the resistance victory against Israel as a sacred day.

"This day is a great, sacred day and the people of Gaza and Palestine are now stronger a year after the war." Haniyeh said in his message, which was carried by Moj News Agency. "The resistance movement is now much more ingrained and everybody respects the rights of the people of Palestine."

The second International Story of Resistance Film Festival, which closed in Beirut on Tuesday, screened documentaries, musical clips and animations on anti-Zionist resistance movements.

Haniyeh, who is the democratically elected prime minister, also thanked the festival’s organizers for supporting the resistance movement and expressed hope that the next edition of the event would be held in Jerusalem Al-Quds.

"Your support … is very important at a time when some are trying to distance the Islamic nation from their culture and their legitimate right to resist the illegal occupation of their land," he said. "I hope that all of us gather in Jerusalem Al-Quds one day, if the will of God sees it fitting."

(Press TV)