ISLAMABAD - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir has denied that Pakistan mediated between Saudi Arabia and Iran amid recent tensions between the two rival countries, Bahrain’s state media reported on Monday.
“Some countries had offered to mediate between Riyadh and Tehran, however, there will be no mediation unless Iran responds positively,” the Bahrain News Agency quoted Saudi foreign minister as saying on the sidelines of the first ministerial session of Golf Cooperation Council (GCC)-India Cooperation Forum.
“There won’t be any mediation because, for 35 years, Iran has adopted a hostile approach toward Arab world by meddling in their internal affairs, sowing sectarian strife and backing terrorism as confirmed by numerous strong evidences,” the Saudi minister said.
“Iran knows what is required from it. It should change its policy of dealing with its neighbours on the principle of good neighbourliness and refrain from interference in the internal affairs of other countries so that the path will be open to building better relations with its neighbours, he said.
Last week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited Riyadh and Tehran for defusing tensions between the two Muslim countries that were sparked by execution of Saudi dissident Sheikh Nimr and the subsequent attack on Saudi mission in Iran by protesters.
“Saudi leadership told me that they did not see Iran as an enemy and I heard similar sentiments from Iranian leaders, who too are not in favour of tensions,” the prime minister said at the time.
Saudi foreign minister’s statement is in contrast to the prime minister’s, who upon the conclusion of his mediation trip had struck an upbeat tone, saying Pakistan’s initiative was welcomed in both capitals and he expected it to progress.
Saudi Arabia and some of its allies broke off ties with Iran over the embassy attack earlier this month. The United Arab Emirates downgraded relations while some others recalled their envoys in protest.
The Iranian government had quickly distanced itself from the attack, saying the protesters had entered the Saudi embassy despite widespread efforts by the police to stop them.
The development came two weeks before Iran emerged from years of economic isolation when world powers lifted crippling sanctions against Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.
DAILY TIMES
YEMI
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