Saudi Arabia and Iran on expansion of ties
Iran's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Hosseini in a meeting today with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz stressed on expansion of bilateral ties.
Referring to the cultural, religious and historical commonalities between the two countries, the ambassador said that Iran and Saudi Arabia can play an important and effective role in decreasing existing tension and problems in the Middle East region.
The two countries say that they both have common interest in stability in Iraq, while at the same time have different sides they support seemingly based on factional Islamic identity, of Sunnis and Shiites branches of Islam. Also, each tends to be wary of the other side's regional role.
Hosseini said, "Now there are suitable atmosphere for promotion of bilateral cooperation in all fields." In the meeting, the Saudi crown prince called for expansion of cooperation between the two countries adding that there are many fields for such expansion and that the region and the Islamic world can benefit from it.
Meantime, Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Italy in a joint press conference today and underlined the peaceful solution of Iran's nuclear dossier.
The Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal stressed the peaceful solution of Iran's N-case and said "We want all ambiguities to be removed and we also believe that the issue of Qods occupying regime's nuclear case should not be forgotten." Referring to the recent position of the heads of states of Persian Gulf Cooperation Council concerning the right of having nuclear know-how, the Saudi prince added the member states are determined to achieve such a goal.
Concerning situation in Iraq, Prince Saud al-Faisal said the current situation in Iraq is very sad and worrying because it can endanger world security and stability.
The Saudi FM called Italy's role in reducing Lebanon's political tension "constructive" and added, given the good relations of Italian statesmen with Lebanese officials and Palestine occupying regime, the Italian government can be very effective in promoting peace process in the region.
Concerning the new American strategy in Iraq, the Saudi FM said his country was following closely the situation in that country.
