Iran-Oman cooperation can help promote peace in the region: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN,April 15(MNA) – The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman can help promote peace and security in the region through close cooperation, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a meeting with a senior Omani official in Tehran on Saturday. “The two countries can play a constructive and useful role in promoting peace and security in the region through cooperation with each other,” Ahmadinejad told the speaker of the Omani Advisory Council (Majles A’Shura), Khalid bin Hilal Al Mawali. The Iranian president said, “Now that the enemies are determined to separate nations from one another through (creating) conflict and discord, cooperation between the two countries is more essential than in the past. And the two countries can foil the enemies’ plots in the region through standing by each other.” “There is great potential for increasing the level of relations that should be utilized in favor of the two nations,” Ahmadinejad said, adding that efforts should be made to expand parliamentary cooperation between Iran and Oman. The Omani official said that Muscat was keen to strengthen its relations with Tehran, noting, “Oman regards the stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward regional and international issues as well-intentioned and welcomes and supports it.” Iran, Oman call for expansion of economic ties Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani held a meeting with his Omani counterpart on Saturday, during which he called for the expansion of cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. Larijani described Iran-Oman political relationship as “good” and expressed hope that efforts would be stepped up to further develop economic ties. He also emphasized the importance of the implementation of the project to transport gas from Iran to Oman. Mawali said that Muscat would welcome the expansion of economic ties with the Islamic Republic. He also commented on Iran’s stance toward the Palestinian issue and hailed the country’s support for the Palestinian people. Iranian, Omani officials call for peaceful solution to Syrian crisis Mawali, who began his five-day trip to Iran on Saturday, also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Saturday. During the meeting, bilateral issues and the situation in Syria were discussed, with Iranian foreign minister saying that Iran was ready to help pave the way for dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition groups. There is no military solution to the crisis in Syria, Salehi said, criticizing interventionist measures by outsiders in the Arab country. For his part, the speaker of the Omani Advisory Council said that the crisis in Syria should be resolved through a political solution.