Iran Deputy FM: Extremism Major Regional Problem
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran’s deputy foreign minister warned of the dangerous consequences of terrorism and extremism for the whole world.
“Extremism is the major problem facing the region and has has become a tool in the hands of certain countries to achieve their goals,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The Iranian diplomat made the remarks in a meeting with Marc Otte, Belgium’s deputy foreign minister, in Tehran on Monday.
Amir-Abdollahian called for an immediate end to Israel’s military strikes on the Gaza Strip as well as the removal of the crippling siege on the impoverished territory.
Since July 8, Israeli warplanes have been pounding numerous sites in the Gaza Strip, demolishing houses and burying families under rubble. Israeli tanks also began a ground offensive against the impoverished Palestinian land on July 17.
According to Palestinian medical sources more than 1,100 people, many of them women and children, have been killed so far in the Israeli attacks and nearly 6,500 others injured.
The Iranian official also pointed to Iran’s proposal to solve the crisis in Palestine via holding a referendum canvassing the real owners of the Palestinian territories.
Less than a week ago, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that through a referendum, the people living and belonging in the region would select their desired government.
The Belgium official, for his part, described the situation in Gaza as a tragedy.
Otte also underlined the need for joint efforts to counter the spread of terrorism in the region and its global repercussions.
The Iranian and Belgian officials assessed the bilateral talks between Tehran and Brussels as useful and constructive.
They called for the continuation of consultation between Iran and Belgium on matters of mutual interest as well as regional issues.
