New Atmosphere Created By Iran-P5+1 Deal In Int'l Arena: Senior Interpol Official

Beirut, Feb 9, IRNA – Former Lebanese defense minister Elias Murr who was appointed as the first president of the board of the recently established Interpol Foundation for a safer world in October 2013 said Friday that negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 which led to a landmark agreement in Geneva last year has created a new atmosphere in the region and the international arena. Murr made the remarks in a dinner banquet in the Iranian embassy in Beirut. Murr underlined that cooperation of regional countries with Iran could help in the fight against terrorism. He said that Interpol is ready to deepen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the banquet, in which a number of other Lebanese officials were also present, Murr and Iranˈs Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi reviewed issues of mutual interest as well as the latest developments in Lebanon and the whole region. On the possibility of accepting Iranˈs offer to provide Lebanonˈs army with equipment, the Lebanese ex-defense minister said his countryˈs army needs help and any kind of help by Iran would be welcomed. Elsewhere in his remarks, Murr touched upon the humanitarian crisis in Syria, saying Takfiri terrorists will return to their own countries after being defeated in Syria and then will pose a threat to those who have dispatched them to Syria. Referring to Takfiri terrorist groups as the prime threat to Lebanon and other regional countries, he called on all political parties and groups in Lebanon to join hands to counter terrorism. He criticized certain governments in the region and Europe for supporting Takfiri terrorists in Syria. The Iranian ambassador, for his part, said Iran attaches special significance to peace and stability in the region, Lebanon in particular, and will make every effort in this regard./end