World In Need Of Friendship, Brotherhood: FM Spokesman

Tehran, March 5, IRNA – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that the world today needs friendship, brotherhood, peace and tranquility. Mehmanparast made the remarks at a commemoration ceremony held on the occasion of 9 on the Richter scale earthquake and gigantic tsunami in Japan in March 2011 at the Japanese Embassy in Tehran. 'We should remember that natural disasters are a big divine test for humans,' the diplomat said while commemorating the victims of last year's tsunami. Noting that the natural disasters should be a lesson for humans, Mehmanparast noted that the disasters can be a lesson for those who consider themselves as impeccable and think that they can increase their influence through warmongering and creating tension in the region. He said that the Japanese people are themselves the biggest victims of weapons of mass destruction. 'Hundreds of thousands of Japanese people were killed only due to the nuclear bombardment of Japan by the US,' the diplomat added. Mehmanparast noted that the people of Japan are used to hardships and they have proved that the they can compensate for the past. 'Islamic Republic of Iran are besides all nations of the world and wherever the people are suffering, we can help them,' he added./end