Iranˈs Presence In Al-Sisi Inauguration Aimed At Normalizing Relations: Dy FM

Tehran, June 18, IRNA – Iranˈs presence in inauguration ceremony of Egyptian newly-elected President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was meant to normalize relations between Tehran and Cairo, senior lawmaker Hossein Naqavi Hosseini quoted Deputy Foreign Minister on Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Tuesday. Speaking to IRNA, Naqavi Hosseini, rapporteur of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said two deputy foreign ministers Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Hassan Qashqavi attended todayˈs Majlis session. Hosseini said that the presence of the Iranian delegation in al-Sisi inauguration, atrocities committed by ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Turkeyˈs stands in this regard and the latest developments in Syria were on the agenda of Tuesday session. During the session, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that in his visit to Cairo to participate in the new Egyptian presidentˈs inauguration, he had conveyed Iranˈs views on developments in Egypt to the new government in the country, according to Hosseini. ˈWe noted that all governments have to stand against extremism while protecting democracy and the human rights,ˈ Amir-Abdollahian said. Elaborating on what he thought about the future of Egypt, the deputy foreign minister said with parliamentary elections in Egypt approaching, Iran is hopeful that Egypt will move towards national reconciliation and internal unity. He touched upon what is going on in Iraq and said terrorist groups thought the condition of Middle East region provided the best opportunity for establishment of states desired by al-Qaeda. He said the invasion by ISIL was based on such an analysis. He lauded the role of Fatwas issued by Shia and Sunni leaders, particularly, Grand Ayatollah Sistani, in uniting different groups in Iraq against the terrorists. Amir-Abdollahian blamed the US for formation of terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, saying the US administration is seeking its own interests in the region. He rejected US claims about Iranˈs intervention in Iraq and cooperation with the US on Iraq, saying Iran will never move in this line. Meanwhile, Hassan Qashqavi, Deputy Foreign Minister for consular, expatriates and parliamentary affairs underlined that peaceful relations with neighboring countries is high on the agenda of the Iranian government under President Hassan Rouhani./end