Shah's Departure Hailed In Message by Ayatollah; Ayatollah Calls for Unity Return to Iran Not Specified

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leading religious opponent of the Shah of Iran, sent congratulations to the Iranian people today on having forcing the Shah to leave the country and called his departure "the first step" toward ending the 57-year reign of the Pahlevi dynasty.

Source: New York Times