Cairo, April 27: The Egyptian prime minister says closer Tehran-Cairo ties can contribute to the promotion of relations among Middle Eastern nations.
Enhancement of ties between Iran and Egypt can turn a new page in regional relations, Essam Sharaf said in a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia on Monday, reported the United Arab Emirates state news agency (WAM).
Sharaf also reiterated Cairo’s support for the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) member states, saying his country will continue to work with the council.
He said Egypt will continue to stand by [P]GCC member states and help them against any threats while steering clear of interference in their internal affairs.
He added that Egypt regards the security of [P]GCC members as its own.
Sharaf was appointed Egypt’s interim prime minister early March after widespread protests against the then premier Ahmad Shafiq.
Shafiq had been appointed by ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during the final days of his regime.
Mubarak was toppled on February 11 after 18 days of nationwide protests.
He had been in power for three decades before he was forced to step down.
The revolution in Egypt has alarmed the US and Israel — both key allies of Mubarak’s regime — which consider the rise of an Islamic establishment in Egypt contrary to their interests.
——–Agencies