Cairo, Dec 22, IRNA - Speaker of Egypt's Shura Council on Sunday blocked a debate on an anti-Iran statement in the council.

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - Vice-President Ali Saeedlou said on Monday that promotion of security and peace in the region is a priority of Iran's foreign policy.

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - Iran on Monday affirmed national resolve to confront Somali pirates who have hijacked Iranian leased cargo ship.

Damascus, Dec 22, IRNA - Syrian Minister of Culture Riyadh Nassan Agha called for production of
a joint Iran-Syria film on 33-day war and resistance of the Lebanese

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - First Vice President Parviz Davoudi said that Iranian and Venezuelan
officials are interested in developing bilateral ties in different
fields.

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - An exhibition of Iranian arts including Quran calligraphy, miniature,
illumination, book and painting opened in Damascus late on Saturday.

London, Dec 22, IRNA - The British government is insistent that it wants to improve relations
with Iran but remains adamant in continuing with its

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - Visiting Foreign Minister of Togo Koffi Essaw and his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki in a joint press conference here Sunday

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - Iran has always underlined the need for peace and stability in the region, particularly in the Caucasus, said the rapporteur of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy

Tokyo, Dec 22, IRNA - An official with Japanese Foreign Ministry said that Iran-Japan ties are excellent in different fields.