Hillary Clinton Removes PMOI MEK From Terrorist List, and Iranian Opposition Leader Maryam Rajavi Rejoices

The United States on Friday formally removed the Iranian opposition group, PMOI-MEK from its blacklist of designated terror groups.

The move, ending a complex legal battle fought through U.S. and European courts, came just days ahead of an October 1 deadline set by a U.S. appeals court by which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had to decide on the fate of the group.

"The secretary of state has decided, consistent with the law, to revoke the designation of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) and its aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under the Immigration and Nationality Act and to delist the MEK as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224," the State Department said in a statement.

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance for the period of transition of sovereignty to Iranian people, welcomed and appreciated the decision by Secretary Hillary Clinton to delist the PMOI and implement the ruling of the U.S. court. He declared: “I understand that this decision was difficult and required political courage. This has been the correct decision, albeit long overdue, in order to remove a major obstacle in the path of the Iranian people's efforts for democracy. For more than a decade, mullahs made every effort to prevent removal of this designation. They do not conceal their anger and disappointment and are trying hysterically to counter Secretary Clinton’s decision with their lobby groups in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe."

Mrs. Rajavi added: “For now, concern of Iranians continues to be respect for the fundamental rights, security and improvement of living conditions for some 3300 of their friends and relatives in Iraq. We appeal to Secretary Clinton, other member states of the United Nations and the Security Council to compel the Iraqi Government to observe the residents’ legal refugee rights, including the right to ownership of their property so that they could be resettled in third countries without intimidation, obstruction and undue hardship.

"We propose a non-nuclear Iran, peace, security, democracy, human rights, stability, construction, friendship, and economic development in this region of the world as well as respect for international laws and conventions. “We are seeking change in Iran by the Iranian people and their just resistance. We want the sovereignty of the people and a free election."

Maryam Rajavi, who had addressed a rally in New York on Saturday via a live satellite link from Paris, had said Hillary Clinton’s decision to de-list the MEK was “a correct decision which sets aside a serious obstacle on the path of the Iranian people and Resistance to achieve democracy in Iran.”

Clinton removed the group after sending a classified opinion to Congress earlier in September.