Libya FM Official: Tripoli Willing To Expand Ties With Iran

Tehran, Aug 28, IRNA – Libyan Foreign Ministry spokesman Saad al-Shalmani said his country was willing to expand ties with Iran. Al-Shalmani said that Iranian people will soon receive good news about release of the Iranian citizens abducted in Libya. Talking to IRNA, he made to definite reference to the date of release of the abducted Iranian nationals but hoped they returned to their families soon. The spokesman said all abducted Iranians are in good health. Seven members of the Iranian Red Crescent Society team were abducted in Benghazi, Libya, by unidentified armed people on July 30, 2012. They had traveled to Libya upon an invitation by the Libyan Red Crescent Society. The Libyan official further said Tripoli was strongly against any sanctions against Iran and considered them as unacceptable since they in fact created difficulty for the people. He also expressed happiness over handing over of the Non-Aligned Movement presidency to Iran and said Libya during the new era will be seeking better relations with the powerful and big country of Iran./end