Dakar, March 30, IRNA -- Iran and Senegal issued a joint statement
here Monday at the end of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi`s
official visit to the African state.
According to the statement signed by the two countries` foreign
ministers, the two sides are to to expand bilateral ties, particularly
in the areas of trade and economy.
The statement also highlights a future visit to Senegal of
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
The statement also calls for settlement of conflicts in the
African continent through peaceful means and constructive
negotiations.
On the issue of Palestine, the statement calls for a return of
all Palestinian refugees to their homeland and establishment of an
independent Palestinian state with holy Qods as the capital.
It also calls for the continued support of the Intifada, or
Palestinian uprising, aimed at ending the illegal occupation of
Palestinian territories by the Zionist regime.
Referring to the latest act of atrocity against the struggle of
the oppressed Palestinian people, it condemned the assassination of
Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.
Sheikh Yassin and eight other people were cowardly assassinated by
Israeli military forces early Monday last week as they were coming
out of a mosque in Gaza city.
On the critical situation in Iraq, the two sides call for a
resolution of the fate of the country by the Iraqi people under the
supervision of the United Nations.
As to the domestic situation in Iraq, both Iran and Senegal call
on the international community to give serious attention to the need
for reconstruction of the war-torn country and restoration of badly
needed security and stability.
According to the joint statement, the two countries also call for
an end to all acts of terrorism in the world.
Both sides also highlighted the benefits of continuing and
promoting the 'dialogue among civilizations,' particularly among
Muslim states, as a way of resolving conflicts.
As to the issue of nuclear weapons, Iran and Senegal call for
more efforts to free regions from nuclear weapons, particularly
Africa and the Middle East.
Kharrazi arrived in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday evening on the first
leg of a three-nation West African tour. He will then fly to
Ghana and from there to Nigeria.