ID :
189707
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 08:48
Auther :

UN official hails Iran for accepting, aiding refugees

TEHRAN, June 20 (MNA) – Bernard Doyle, the new representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iran, has praised the Iranian government for fulfilling its humanitarian obligations to accept and help refugees.

The UN official made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has adequately fulfilled its humanitarian duties in this regard,” Doyle said.

He also promised to do his utmost during his tenure to help settle the problems facing the refugees in Iran and improve their conditions.

Salehi said Iran has received several million refugees from Afghanistan and some other countries over the past few decades, emphasizing that Iran’s humanitarian action will go down into the history.

“The international community should thank Iran for this great and important action” he said.

He went on to say that the presence of the UNHCR representative in Iran is a good opportunity to further address the issues facing the refugees in Iran and prepare the ground for their repatriation.

Salehi added he is hopeful to see an improvement in the living conditions of refugees in Iran and the neighboring countries.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi criticized the Western governments for failing to perform their duties toward refugees.

The UNHCR representative also submitted his credentials to Foreign Minister Salehi.


X