Iranˈs Zarif Urges Saudis To Combat Extremism In Mideast

Berlin, Feb 4, IRNA - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif here Monday called on Saudi Arabia to actively fight the rise of extremism in the Middle East. Speaking at Berlinˈs prestigious German Council on Foreign Relations with (DGAP), Zarif stressed both countries had to deal with the problem of extremism and find a way of tackling it. ˈNeither one of us can tolerate the extremist rise,ˈ the minister said. Extremism has become a threat to all of us, he added. Referring to his ongoing efforts to improve Iranˈs relations with its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf region, specifically Saudi Arabia, Zarif stressed, ˈThe Persian Gulf is our lifeline and we need a stable and secure Persian Gulf.ˈ The security of our Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf region is also ˈour security,ˈ he reiterated. Our common interests are common challenges, Zarif said. He proposed a regional agreement on non-intervention, non-aggression and peaceful conflict resolution. Zarif pointed to the fact that Iran has never attacked another country in over 200 years, even though it had been attacked in the past. Meanwhile, Iranˈs chief diplomat reaffirmed his readiness to visit Saudi Arabia at any given time. ˈI was and I am prepared to go to Saudi Arabia on a short notice.ˈ Zarif acknowledged while there are differences on regional issues, particularly on Syria, they could be resolved through dialog. He warned that the region could ˈnot take any more rivalry and competition.ˈ/end