Crisis between AL and Iranian interest commission

The head of the Iranian interests' commission in Cairo, Ali Akbar Hashemy, has refused to meet with Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid to discuss the Arab League and Arab states' opposition to Iran's policy toward three disputed Gulf islands, Greater and Lesser Tanb and Abu Mousa.

Iran and the United Arab Emirates both claim sovereignty over the Islands, which Iran controls.

The meeting was included in the agenda of Abdul Meguid, who was surprised that Hashemy did not attend without mentioning reasons.

Iranian sources in Cairo said today that the Iranian government informed the Iranian official in Cairo not to attend the AL because the Iranian minister of interior is opening the Municipal Council on Abu Moussa Island.

The sources added that the AL secretary general is pressuring Iran to give up imposing its sovereignty over the three Islands, supporting the United Arab Emirates' offer to resort to the International Court of Justice and undergoing consultations with international officials to support the UAE.