Egypt Reaches Out to Renew Iran Ties

story by AS/AGB

Newly appointed Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi has said that his country is ready to promote ties between Tehran and Cairo.

In his first press conference as the country's foreign minister on Tuesday, al-Arabi said Cairo is ready to open "a new page with Iran," IRNA reported.

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 the establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side.

Earlier in March, head of Iran's Interest Section in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Mojtaba Amani said long-stalled relations between Iran and Egypt can be expanded.

"In view of the current developments in Egypt, the time is ripe for expansion of relations between Tehran and Cairo," Amani said.

The Iranian official stated that diplomatic ties between the two states have only been limited to interest sections since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, but it is high time the two sides made appropriate decisions based upon the current events and developments in Egypt.

Eighteen days of anti-government protests in crisis-hit Egypt resulted in the historic overthrow of the 82-year-old former President Hosni Mubarak, who quit on February 11, handing over power to a military council.

Tehran and Cairo have not had full diplomatic relations since 1979.

Iran severed ties with Egypt after Cairo signed the 1978 Camp David Accords with Israel and provided asylum to Iran's deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.