Kharazi praises Mubarak's statements on Egyptian-Iranian ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi paid tribute to recent statements by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak concerning Egyptian-Iranian relations and termed as positive the Egyptian leader's assessment of the course of those ties.

In statements carried Wednesday by Tehran radio, Kharazi said contacts are under way between Egypt and Iran to resume bilateral ties as both sides expressed their views in this respect.

He termed the joint Egyptian-Iranian drive as one of the most important and best forms of bilateral cooperation in the Islamic world.

"The major role played by both countries in the region, the Palestinian cause, and a common concern over the Middle East crisis, led to the present Egyptian-Iranian rapprochement," he added.

Moreover, Kharazi stressed the importance of relations between Tehran and Cairo.

"Both sides have identical viewpoints on the mounting Middle East crisis in light of Israel's violence against the Palestinians and threats against regional countries," he said.

The most important factor in Egyptian-Iranian rapprochement is opposing the Israeli regime he said, noting that cooperation between the two countries was very important within the framework of the Islamic world.