Rohani: Iran Attaches Priorities To Expand Ties With Neighboring States

Tehran, June 18, IRNA – President-elect Hassan Rohani said on Monday that Iran attaches importance to expansion of relations with its neighboring states based on friendship, mutual respect and interests. Addressing a group of domestic and foreign reporters on his first press conference, the new president-elect said that the Islamic Republic favors friendly ties with the Arab states in light of strategic values of the Persian Gulf. On Iran-Saudi Arabia ties, Rohani said Saudi Arabia is Iranˈs brotherly neighbor and the Qibla of the world Muslims is in that country, adding that both countries have many cultural, historical and regional affinities. On Syrian developments, he said the Syrian people have the final say in their affairs but Iran strongly opposes intervention of foreign countries, terrorism as well as civil war in that country. He expressed hope that the Syrian issue will be resolved with the assistance of all regional countries and the globe and the Syrian government would restore peace and tranquility as soon as possible. The will of Syrian people should be materialized in that country, Rohani underlined. Rohani promised to resolve the countryˈs problems such as unemployment and inflation step by step to reach the international standard./end