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Fresh Support
For Lebanese Consensus
Envoy Meets Aoun, Berri
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 8--Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, said the Islamic Republic is ready to facilitate a solution to the Lebanese political impasse.
Sheibani made the remark in a meeting with Michel Aoun, head of Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement, on Thursday.
Referring to the television interview of Hezbollah Leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and General Aoun, the ambassador said the interview demonstrated peaceful coexistence in Lebanon, Presstv reported.
He underlined Iran’s stance in supporting any well-intentioned effort to help Lebanon reach an internal consensus to resolve the political crisis.
Sheibani also expressed hope that the Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa would achieve success in his initiative.
The Arab League has called for the immediate appointment of Army Chief Michel Suleiman as president and the formation of a national unity government. A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect a president was postponed on January 20th for the 13th time.
In another development, Sheibani met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and has declared Tehran’s support for the Arab League chief’s efforts to resolve Lebanon’s political blockade.
Sheibani said Suleiman is the presidential candidate upon whom all political parties have agreed and Iran would spare no effort to help the Arab initiative.
The Iranian envoy also presented a report on Iran’s scientific and industrial achievements in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Moussa has resumed contacts with Lebanese parties and is due to arrive in Beirut on Friday.
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Hosseini, Safari
Take New Posts
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Mohammad Ali Hosseini
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Mehdi Safari
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TEHRAN, Feb. 8--Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in two separate decrees appointed Mohammad Ali Hosseini and Mehdi Safari respectively as the head of the Asian Affairs Department and deputy foreign minister for European affairs.
Hosseini will take the new post, while retaining his former positions as Mottaki’s special aide and Foreign Ministry spokesman, IRNA reported.
He had earlier served as director general of the Evaluation and Supervision Department and manager of the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Central Asia Departments at the Foreign Ministry.
Safari also formerly served as the head of Asia-Pacific Affairs Department and the Foreign Minister’s Caspian Sea Affairs Special Representative.
He also served as director general of the Commonwealth and Caucasian Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry and as Iran’s ambassador to Russia.
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Aid Offered to Gaza
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Palestinian children wait to collect water from stand-pipes in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
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SHIRAZ, Fars, Feb. 8--An official said Iran is ready to send humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip via Egypt and awaits the permission of Egyptian officials.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Masoud Khatami, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, said Egypt is the only gate to send humanitarian relief aid to Gaza where people are suffering from shortages of medicines, food, electricity and the like, IRNA reported.
“As soon as the Egyptian officials announce their approval, Iranian relief aid would be dispatched to Gaza Strip through that country,“ he said.
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Bahrain Seeks Iranian Help
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Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa
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TOKYO, Feb. 8--Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa says his country wants Iran to have a constructive role in regional stability.
He called for Iran’s help in establishing security in the Persian Gulf.
“Iran is a country which can have both positive and negative role in this regard,“ Sheikh Khalid told Yomiuri daily when asked about Iran’s role in Persian Gulf security.
The Bahraini foreign minister, who is in Tokyo on an official visit, said his country, being closer to Iran geographically than any other state, has broad and strong ties with the country.
Yomiuri says the Bahraini minister’s comments prove that his country’s stances do not match those of the US which seeks Iran’s isolation.
The Bahraini foreign minister is on a six-day official visit to Japan.Ê
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Merkel Makes Nuclear Claims
BERLIN, Feb. 8--Germany called on Iran to respond to overtures from the European Union and the United States, and prove that its civilian nuclear program is not a threat.
So far “there has not been a positive commitment“ from Iran, Chancellor Angela Merkel claimed after a meeting on Thursday with the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, in Berlin, DPA reported.
She said Iran had to prove that it would adhere to the principles laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency about the peaceful intentions of its nuclear program.
“We don’t want to see Iran attacked, but at the same time we don’t want to see Iran in possession of a nuclear bomb,“ Sheikh Mohammed said through an interpreter.
Sheikh Mohammed, who arrived in Germany on Wednesday, attended a meeting of the Germany-UAE economic forum late Wednesday, where business ventures and airline landing rights were discussed.
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Headscarf Ban
RESALAT: Following the Turkish government’s announcement of a plan to lift the ban on headscarves in centers of learning and the parliament’s approval of that, thousands of protestors staged anti-government demos against the plan. This is while scores of protestors supported the government’s move. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Turkey should accept political reform for becoming a permanent member of the European Union. Hence, Ankara is trying to establish freedom and full democracy throughout the country. He noted that in order to become an EU member, the country should lift the headscarf ban in Turkish universities. Other Turkish leaders had previously said university is the cradle of democracy and, therefore, veiled female students should not be discriminated against unveiled students.
Talk of Town
JAAM-E JAM: The Islamic Revolution of Iran has been described as the “phenomenon of the century“ because it has led to many positive developments both at home and abroad. After nearly three decades, Iran has come to occupy second place in the region in technological and scientific terms. Under the 2025 Vision and in view of the current trend of scientific developments, Iran will emerge as the top regional country in less than 17 years (in 2025). Presently, Iran is on the track of development and has registered success in many fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, mathematics, medical sciences and aerospace. If such a trend continues, we will be the frontrunner in many regional sectors.
Independent
HAMSHAHRI: During the reign of the deposed Pahlavi dynasty, Iran was a part of the western power bloc puzzle. In other words, the Iranian government had no freedom of choice or decision-making for their own country, not to mention the Middle East or the world. However, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which toppled the king, new developments have taken place in the region and Iran today is one of the leading regional powers and plays a significant role at the international level. One of the blessings of the 1979 Islamic Revolution is that Iran has not only become independent, but is also capable of defending its sovereignty, rights and territorial integrity. Iran is sincerely making efforts to establish peace and stability in the region, despite the machinations of world powers.
Achievements
IRAN: The 1979 Islamic Revolution deposed the Pahlavi king who was a puppet of the western powers, especially the US. Therefore, one of the main motivations of the revolution was to end the country’s reliance on foreign powers. Another significant impetus was to improve the nation’s living conditions. These goals have now been materialized. Thanks to the huge efforts made by Iranians, Iran is not dependant on foreigners in any sector, including nuclear energy, medical sciences and, recently, aerospace. Today, more than 90 percent of cities and villages have been provided with gas, electricity and water. One of the other achievements is that the country has organized several free and fair elections after the revolution, which has engaged people in the country’s decision-making processes. Many other great achievements have also been made in the past 30 years.
Talk of Town
JAAM-E JAM: The Islamic Revolution of Iran has been described as the “phenomenon of the century“ because it has led to many positive developments both at home and abroad. After nearly three decades, Iran has come to occupy second place in the region in technological and scientific terms. Under the 2025 Vision and in view of the current trend of scientific developments, Iran will emerge as the top regional country in less than 17 years (in 2025). Presently, Iran is on the track of development and has registered success in many fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, mathematics, medical sciences and aerospace. If such a trend continues, we will be the frontrunner in many regional sectors.
Thorn
JOMHOURI-YE ESLAMI: Building the research satellite named ’Omid’ and launching an explorer rocket into space mark another victory for the Iranian nation. Iran’s scientific and industrial achievements in the past three decades and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution have now become an undeniable reality. Even scientific entities around the world have confirmed Iran’s breakthroughs. However, increasing pressures on Iran by western powers, particularly the arch-foe United States, indicate that Iran’s accomplishments are a thorn in the eyes of enemies.
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