Iran`s president insists on expansion of ties with African countries:Iranian FM official

TEHRAN, Dec. 26 (MNA) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a positive attitude toward ties with African countries. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an address to a meeting of Iran’s ambassadors to African states which was held on Sunday. The meeting was part of a conference which is being held with the participation of the heads of Iran’s diplomatic missions based in foreign countries. Chaired by Amir-Abdollahian, the meeting focused on Islamic awakening and its effects on the black continent as well as the Islamic Republic’s relations with the African states over the past three decades. During his speech, Amir- Abdollahian attached high significance to the Islamic Republic’s status among African nations in general and Muslim countries of the continent in particular, and described the role of the Iranian ambassadors’ missions as crucial. Promoting ties with African nations is very important to President Ahmadinejad, he said, adding that Ahmadinejad has agreed to grant facilities to the nations in order to help them make further progress and have closer ties with the Islamic Republic. Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir- Abdollahian commented on the latest developments in African countries and called on the ambassadors to accelerate the implementation of cultural, economic and commercial projects through innovation.