Mehmanparast Flays Presence Of Foreign Forces In ME

Islamabad, Dec 6, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said here Wednesday presence of foreign forces in Middle East is a great challenge for Muslims and its objective is to safeguard the interest of Zionist regime. Speaking with Pakistani senior journalists at Lahore Press Club he stressed the need for boosting Iran-Pakistan trade ties. During the meeting he termed Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project as extremely significant for the development of the region. He said that the Iranian offer to assist Pakistan in building the Pakistani portion of the project would be finalized during the upcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Iran. Mehmanparast called for close cooperation among the media organizations of Muslim countries to counter the western propaganda against the Muslim world. Meanwhile the Iranian official at a press conference in Lahore held US responsible for unrest both in this region and around the world. He said that some western countries headed by the United States are the main reasons for regional and global instabilities. “The main problems of the region are related to the West’s dual policies, which are evident in the Persian Gulf region and in countries like Afghanistan,” he stated. Mehmanparast said that the US and some of its allies “sow discord and tension in the region to achieve their own interests,” and added, The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Pakistan and Iran can cooperate in many sectors like barter trade system, improving, improve air links and trade sector. Mehmanparast also said that the US and some of its allies “sow discord and tension in the region to achieve their own interests.” He added, “Foreign troops in Afghanistan have created numerous problems for the Afghans and the people in the region.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also referred to Pakistan as a key player in Iran’s foreign policies and stressed the need to enhance the level of bilateral relations between the two countries in all areas, particularly in the media domain. Mehmanparast, who heads an Iranian media delegation, arrived in Pakistan on Sunday./end