Iran, Algeria Urge Negotiated Solution to Regional Conflicts
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Senior diplomats from Iran and Algeria in a meeting in Algiers discussed the latest regional developments, with both stressing the need for concreted action against terrorism, for dialogue to settle the conflicts, and for respect for the sovereignty of nations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is taking a tour of North Africa, held a meeting with Algeria’s Minister of Maghreb and African Affairs and the Arab League Abdelkader Messahel in Algiers on Sunday.
Describing terrorism as the main problem gripping the Middle East, Zarif said democracy originating from inside the countries is the best approach to countering terrorism.
“Fighting against extremism must be a priority for everyone. We should all help to achieve a solution, not to impose one. We could not dictate solutions to the people of different countries,” the Iranian minister added.
Slamming foreign interference as the factor dragging out and complicating the crises in the regional countries, Zarif said the conflicts benefit two groups: hardliners and Zionists.
Voicing Iran’s concern about the escalation of tensions between Qatar and a number of Arab countries, Zarif described dialogue as the best solution.
For his part, the Algerian minister underscored that the regional conflicts should be settled through negotiations.
Algeria, with its independent stances, believes in respect for the sovereignty of nations, Messahel stressed.
He also noted that Algeria, a victim of terrorist activities, has a long experience of battling terrorism and is aware where it comes from.
After a one-day stay in Algeria and a number of diplomatic meetings, Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif left for Mauritania on Monday in the second leg of his tour, which will later take him to Tunisia.
Zarif arrived in Nouakchott on Monday morning and was welcomed by his Mauritanian counterpart Isselkou Ould Ahmed Izid Bih.