On Egyptian - Iranian relations

Well informed press sources said yesterday in Teheran that the short visit held by the Saudi oil minister Ibrahim al-Nueimi to Teheran on Sunday falls in the course of the Saudi mediation between Iran and Egypt as well as to discuss other issues pertaining to oil and to coordination between the two countries to withstand the deterioration in oil international prices.

The sources added that the visit coincided with the visit made by the Saudi Foreign Minister to Cairo. The sources did not rule out that al-Nueimi would have been assigned to convey the Iranian view points in order to improve relations between the two countries.

The said sources linked the statements made by the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal in which he stressed that "there are Saudi efforts for mediation between Iran and Egypt" and the statements made by the Iranian Foreign Minister kamal Kharazi in which he said that his visit to Egypt depend on preparations for the visit. He stressed the atmosphere has been greatly developed between the two countries and their view points have become closer concerning regional issues.

Meantime, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammad al-Sader expressed conviction that relations between Iran and Egypt may improve notably in the near future. He stressed that Egypt took a decision which complies with Iran's stances in opposing the Zionist entity. The sources expected that ambassadors will be exchanged between Cairo and Teheran in the very near future.