Kharazi in Saudi Arabia to discuss islands issue

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi starts a visit to Saudi Arabia today, described by diplomatic sources in Riyadh as "important."

The sources told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the question of the three Gulf islands under dispute with the United Arab Emirates will be at the forefront of topics to be debated between Kharazi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saul al-Faisal.

In a statement to al-Hayat, the Iranian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Rida Nouri Shahroudi, said Kharazi's visit proves the "depth of relations between Tehran and Riyadh," relations which are "passing a tangible development in all walks."

The Iranian ambassador indicated that Kharazi will discuss with his Saudi counterpart "issues of concern to the two countries." He added that Kharazi's visit to Saudi Arabia "falls in the course of a certain mission that does not include discussions on what pertains to the tripartite ministerial committee (the GCC committee formed to settle the question of the three islands)."

However, well-informed diplomatic sources told al-Hayat that the question of the three islands in light of the tripartite committee will be at the forefront of Kharazi's talks with Saud al-Faisal. The sources indicated that the Iranian minister "will tell Saud al-Faisal abuot Tehran's position towards the work of the committee" and did not rule out that Iran would meet with a representative of the committee.