By AFP
TEHRAN: Iran said on Tuesday it is yet to decide on appointing an ambassador to Egypt, but added that developing ties with Arab world’s most populous country is in the interests of both nations.
“The information on appointment of ambassador or other positions are predictions made in a rush, although we are ready to take steps when the Egyptians are willing” to resume relations with Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters at his weekly press conference.
“We believe that developing relations between Iran and Egypt are in the interest of both countries and the region,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television.
Mehmanparast said that after the coming to power of a “government in Egypt supported by the people, the leaders of both the countries have declared that they welcome the resumption of relations”.
Iran broke off diplomatic ties with Egypt in 1980 after the Islamic revolution in protest at the recognition of Israel by Egypt, and the two countries now maintain only interests sections in their respective capitals.
In April, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Al-Araby declared that Cairo was ready to open a “new page” with Tehran with whom it has had turbulent ties for more than three decades.
“The Egyptian and Iranian people deserve relations which reflect their history and civilization, provided they are based on mutual respect of state sovereignty and non-interference of any kind in internal affairs,” he said.
But days later Al-Araby said: “The stability and Arabhood of the Arab Gulf countries is a red line against which Egypt rejects any trespass,” siding with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations who accuse the Shiite majority Iran in meddling in their affairs.
Under the regime of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt had worked to check the influence of Shiite Iran in the region amid concerns in several Arab countries over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and support to the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is running the country since the fall of Mubarak, recently warned it would not allow Egypt to be directed by “another (Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini”, referring to the founder of the 1979 Islamic revolution.
An Egyptian Islamist and a long-time opponent of the Mubarak regime has held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, the official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.
Magdi Hussein, Secretary General of Egypt’s Islamist Labour Party (Al-Amal), recently announced his intention to run for the presidential election later this year.
In the meeting, Salehi stressed “the need to preserve solidarity and alertness of civilized Egyptian people until the final triumph”, in reference to the popular movement that led to the fall of Mubarak, IRNA said.
Al-Amal has been banned until now.
Salehi also emphasized “the determination and the willingness of both countries to establish strong and lasting relationships”.
“Islamic Revolution of Iran is promising for Islamic unity,” Hussein said, underscoring “the establishment of strong relations between the two nations and governments of Iran and Egypt”.
