Expansion of Iran-Saudi Arabia ties can boost relations between Islamic countries:Iran`s Rafsanjani

TEHRAN,Apr.23(MNA) – The chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council highlighted the need to expand Iran-Saudi Arabia ties in order to promote relations between all Islamic countries. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani made the remarks during a meeting with the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Iran, Abdur-Rahman bin Gharman al-Shahri, in Tehran on Monday. Commenting on the status of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the region, he emphasized the need for the expansion of their bilateral ties and said that a framework should be devised for cooperation between Islamic countries. He went on to say that Islamic countries should avoid discord, adding that conflicts cause insecurity in the region. The Saudi Arabian ambassador conveyed the special greetings of the Saudi Arabian king and crown prince to Rafsanjani and re-extended the invitation of the Saudi king for him to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia. He also elaborated on the regional situation and said that the approach taken by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s administration has had a positive effect on Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries. On March 3, Rouhani said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to maintain and expand brotherly relations with all Islamic countries, and especially neighboring countries, and Saudi Arabia is important to Iran in this endeavor.