Iran Still Pursues Fate Of Imam Musa Sadr: FM Spokesman

Tehran, Aug 21, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran still pursues fate of Imam Musa Sadr disappeared on a trip to Libya. He told his weekly news conference that the Islamic Republic of Iran deplores lack of clue on Imam Musa Sadr whereabouts and that the issue is still a major concern for Iran and Lebanon. He said that despite the changes in the Libyan administration, Iran and Lebanon have been pursuing the fate of Imam Musa Sadr in cooperation with their friends in Libya. As to the Omani kings visit to Tehran next week, Araqchi said that Sultan Qaboos could not take part in President Rohanis inauguration ceremony due to coincidence with Eid al-Fitr festival and he sent a senior advisor to Tehran. His upcoming visit to Tehran falls in that context, he said, noting that Iran-Oman ties are close and based on mutual respect. Iran and Oman had always close cooperation, he said, noting that Oman has all the time had a friendly approach to Iran ties and it has proved it in practice. Elsewhere in his remarks, Araqchi described inspection of Iranian airplanes by the Iraqi government as unfriendly and against neighborly attitude. We have warned against the move and we are understanding pressures exerted on them at the same time, he said. Araqchi further noted that the inspections have proved that the claims against Iran are untrue and all the Iranian airplanes forced to land in Iraq were carrying humanitarian aid supplies such as medicine. Asked about certain insurgents statements that they are fighting with Iran in Syria rather than President Bashar al-Assad government, Araqchi said that such false claims are made to justify other untimely interferences in the country's affairs. Stating that the US and European states have officially announced that they send weapons to the Syrian insurgents, he said that most of the insurgents are terrorists or Takfiri members. We do not deny that Iran provides Syria with political support and food and medical supplies, in view of the Syrian crucial role in resistance movement, he said. Turmoil has gripped Syria for over two years, and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed by the foreign-sponsored terrorists./end