Tunisian president ready to establish close ties with Iran

TEHRAN,Feb.19(MNA) – Interim President of Tunisia, Moncef Marzouki, said that his country is willing to expand relations with Iran in all areas especially in energy and tourism sectors. In an interview with the Al-Alam News Network published on its website on Saturday, Marzouki also called for establishing a direct flight between Tehran and Tunis. The new Tunisian leader also said that he is willing to travel to Iran if he is officially invited. He also expressed his support for Iran’s right to access nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes. “We support all countries’ rights to access nuclear technology on condition that the technology is not used to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. “Because we regard access to nuclear weapons in the sensitive Middle East region as disastrous and highly dangerous,” he said. “Undoubtedly, we are not looking for war and conflict in the region,” he added, according to the translation of his remarks. The main bone of contention between Tehran and the West is Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran says all its nuclear activities are totally peaceful, and, as an International Atomic Energy Agency member and a nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory, it has the legal right to produce nuclear fuel for its research reactors and nuclear power plants.