Egyptian Party Stresses Promotion of Ties with Iran

TEHRAN, April 24 (FNA)- A senior member of the Egyptian Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun (Muslim Brotherhood) party described Iran as the Middle-East's kingpin, and called on the officials in Cairo to promote bilateral relations with Tehran.


 
 
"Egypt should have good relations with the powerful and great countries of the Middle-East, like Iran and Turkey, to confront the influence of the US and the Zionist regime in the region," Kamal al-Halbawi told FNA on Sunday.

"I see no justification for the cut in relations between Iran and Egypt," he added.

Halbawi also called on the Egyptian officials to downgrade relations with the Zionist regime and annul the contract on the supply of Egypt's gas to the occupied Palestinian territories.

After the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime, the Iranian and Egyptian officials voiced their interest in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries and Iran's top diplomat Ali Akbar Salehi officially invited Egypt's newly appointed Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi to pay a visit to Tehran.

The invitation letter was submitted to the Egyptian foreign minister during a meeting between Director of Iran's Interest Section in Cairo Mojtaba Amani and al-Arabi.

Egyptian daily, al-Ahram quoted the spokesman of the Egyptian foreign ministry as saying that Salehi in his message had lauded the recently uttered positive remarks by al-Arabi about the promotion of bilateral ties with Iran.

Al-Arabi in his first press conference earlier this year announced Cairo's preparedness to open "a new page with Iran".

The official went on to say that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting the two countries have historically rooted relations.

He further stated that establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side.

In reply, Salehi also said that Iran is ready to resume relations with Cairo.