importance of ties between tehran and arab capitals reviewed

beirut, aug. 16, irna -- `iran-arabs relations and its significance'  
was reviewed in a cultural gathering monday in the southern lebanese  
village of sharqiyeh.                                                 
    at the one-day meeting which was held under the auspices of jabal 
amol committee for cultural dialogue, speakers delivered some speeches
on relations between the islamic republic of iran and the arab states 
and perspective of future expansion of the relations.                 
    muhammad fenish, a hezbullah representative in the lebanese       
national assembly referring to the iranian stance vis-a-vis the peace 
deal in the region, stated that tehran opposition to the deal has     
caused the united states to always fan differences between the islamic
republic of iran and the arab countries.                              
    talal atrisi, an expert at the strategic studies center of lebanon
deduced that expansion of relations between iran and the arab nations 
needs a closer cooperation of tehran and the regional arab capitals in
a bid to confront the us and zionist pressures for creating obstacles 
in the way of the regional relations and cooperations.                
    he then called on iran and arab states to use the appropriate     
opportunity in order to further promote their current level of the    
political, economic and cultural ties.                                
    ma'an bashur, an expert in the political and cultural affairs of  
lebanon highlighted that the relations between the islamic republic   
of iran and the arab nations has already entered a new phase of       
friendly and brotherly ties based on the mutual respect and common    
interests.                                                            
    he added that the islamic republic of iran is interested in the   
palestinian ideology not only due to the religious feelings but also  
due to a common threat faced by both the arab and iranian nations.    
    bashur pointed out that the islamic republic of iran and the arab 
countries should give priority to the expansion of a constructive     
relations in their national, ethnic and islamic activities.           
pm/dh                                                                 
end                                                                   
::irna  16/08/99  23:26
NAMAA NEWS