Iranian FM Confers with Qatari Counterpart on Regional Developments

TEHRAN, May 3 (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani in a meeting in Doha exchanged views over the latest developments in the region.
Salehi also in separate meetings with Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani conveyed the greeting messages of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi to the Qatari officials.

Salehi, heading a high-ranking Iranian delegation, arrived in Doha on Monday morning for an official daylong visit to the Muslim Persian Gulf state.

Upon arrival at Doha Airport, the Iranian minister was welcomed by Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad bin Abdallah al-Mahmud and Tehran's Ambassador to Doha Abdollah Sohrabi.

Salehi is also accompanied by Foreign Ministry's Director-General for the Persian Gulf and Middle-Eastern Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian and member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Karami Raad.

Tonight, Salehi is slated to hold a meeting with the Iranian expatriates residing in Qatar.

Iran and Qatar have recently augmented efforts to further expand ties and cooperation in all the different political, economic, defense and security fields.

The two Persian Gulf littoral states recently signed several protocols to increase mutual cooperation, specially in different areas of security.

Qatari Emir in a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in February stressed the importance of improving ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"Qatar will never forget Iran's helps to this country during difficult times," al-Thani said during the meeting in Doha.