Tehran, Cairo eliminate last differences: al-Durra instead of Islambuli, Musaddaq instead of Bahlawi

The Iranian government yesterday took the last step towards resuming the severed diplomatic relations with Egypt, and asked the municipality of Tehran to change the name of the streets which carries the name of Khaled Islambuli, killer of the late Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, to Muhammad al-Durra street ( the 12- year Palestinian boy who was killed by the Israelis). This Iranian measure was met by Cairo's changing the name of Bahlawi street to Musaddaq's street.

News reports quoted a senior official in Tehran's municipality as saying: we will discuss tomorrow ( today, Tuesday) in an open session a request by the spokesman of the government, Hameed Rida Asefi, to change the name of Khaled Islambuli street to Muhammad al-Durra, the Palestinian child who was killed in the arms of his father in front of the TV cameras by the bullets of the Israeli army, following the eruption of the Palestinian Intifada in 2000.

He added " after discussion the case will be submitted to a special committee for changing names, and should this committee approved that, the whole matter will be put in the hands of the municipal council for vote on it ultimately."

Meantime, the Iranian daily "Iran news" said yesterday that Muhammad al-Durra name will replace the name of Khaled Islambuli. The paper added that Cairo will also change Bahlawi street name to Musaddaq street, after the name of the Iranian prime minister Muhammad Musaddaq who was toppled by a coupe supported by the American CIA in 1953.