Iran: Minister stresses unity among Muslims during Sudan visit

TEHRAN, March 28, 2004 (IRNA) — Interior Minister Abdolvahed Musavi-Lari wound up a three-day official visit to Sudan and returned home early Sunday morning [28 March]. In the course of his official visit, he and his counterpart signed a letter of understanding on bilateral cooperation.

Lari, on Saturday, handed a written message from President Mohammad Khatami for Sudanese President Umar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir. The Iranian interior minister also met and conferred with Sudanese National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Ibrahim al-Tahir in Khartoum on Saturday. In the context of Iran-Sudan amicable relations, Lari said Tehran is very much interested in the restoration of peace and tranquility in Sudan. He also underlined the need for unity among Muslim countries all over the world.

Talking to reporters before his departure for the northeastern African state, Lari said his visit was aimed primarily at jump-starting implementation of agreements already inked by the two countries. He mentioned various security, organized crime and natural disaster issues as having topped the agenda of his talks with Sudanese officials. He expressed hope his visit would hasten implementation of agreements already signed by Iran and Sudan, particularly in light of their level of bilateral relations and extensive cooperation in regional and international arenas.