Cyprus denies claims over Iranian FM’s official visit

TEHRAN,June 30(MNA) – The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus issued a statement on Thursday dismissing news reports claiming that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi faced certain problems during his visit to the country on June 26. Certain news outlets recently claimed that Salehi had been briefly detained at Larnaca International Airport. Following is the text of the statement: In relation to reports in the media regarding the recent visit to Cyprus (by) the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus wishes to inform that the visit was successful and in accordance with the agreed program. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects claims that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran is included (in) the list of persons banned (from) entering or exiting Cyprus (Stop List), and that any problem was created either on his arrival or departure. In addition, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Thursday dismissed the reports and said that they show the “biased” approach that certain media outlets have adopted.