(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has deplored the interference of foreign powers in Bahrain, stressing that Tehran respects national sovereignty and integrity of the Persian Gulf state.
“The presence of foreign powers in Bahrain did not resolve the crisis in the country but rather complicated the situation,” Salehi told reporters in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, on Sunday before he wrapped up his official day-long visit to the country.
“Iran has never meddled with internal affairs of neighboring countries and will never do so in the future. We also object to interference by other countries in the internal affairs of regional states,” he added.
The top Iranian diplomat expressed optimism that regional consultations would prepare the ground for settling issues in crisis-hit Bahrain through negotiations.
Salehi arrived in the UAE capital on Sunday at the head of an Iranian delegation to hold talks with officials of the Persian Gulf country on the latest developments in the region.
During his Abu Dhabi visit, the Iranian foreign minister exchanged views with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum on recent regional events, including the ongoing uprising in Bahrain.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's rule of over 40 years.
On March 14, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed their police and military forces in the kingdom following a reported Manama request to help suppress the nationwide protests.
According to local sources, scores of people, including human rights advocates, have been killed in Bahrain -- some under torture -- and hundreds of others are held in custody.
End item/ 149
