Egyptian Gov't: No Third Party Can Affect Growing Ties with Iran

TEHRAN,April 26 (FNA)- Egyptian Government Spokesman Ahmed Al Saman underlined that his country is resolved to resume relations with Iran and no country can pressure Cairo into changing the decision.
"Egypt will never allow that the relations between Tehran and Cairo and also its internal affairs come under the influence or pressure of a foreign side," Saman told al-Sharq al-Awsat.

"Egypt will open a new chapter in its relations with all the world countries, including Iran, based on mutual interests and will never be restricted to the limitations imposed by the former regime," he added.

Dismissing the concerns voiced by certain Persian Gulf littoral states about Egypt's decision to resume ties with Iran, he assured these countries that Tehran-Cairo relations will not harm their interests at all.

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.