Turkish FM stresses Iran stability, expresses optimism for compromise
Güncelleme Tarihi:
ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said late Sunday stability in Iran is highly important to stability in the region, and expressed optimism for a compromise to ease recent tensions in the neighboring country. (UPDATED)
"Iran is very important for us. It is one of our neighbors with whom we have an intensive past. We believe Iran will reach the most accurate result within healthy consultations and mutual talks inside the country," Davutoglu told reporters when asked about the recent developments in Iran, where tension rose after the June 12 presidential elections.
"Turkey will respect every decision (made by Iranians) within this framework," he added.
Davutoglu met UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday.
Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey hopes the problems in Iran would be concluded through internal mechanisms.
"We hope that the developments in Iran are concluded in the most proper way and through internal mechanisms. We also hope that the recent elections in the country, which were held in a dynamic atmosphere and with a high participation rate, are not overshadowed," he was quoted by the-state-run Anatolian Agency as telling reporters after the meeting.
Iranian authorities arrested at least 457 people after post-election clashes that left 10 people dead, state radio reported on Monday, as the nation’s clerical leaders battled to contain the worst crisis since the Islamic revolution. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has led a wave of massive protests over what he says was a rigged presidential election, remained defiant as he urged supporters to continue demonstrating but to adopt "self-restraint." A total of 17 people have been killed and many more wounded, according to state media, while hundreds of protestors as well as prominent reformists, journalist and analysts have been rounded up in the post-election turmoil. World leaders have voiced mounting alarm over the unrest, which has jolted the pillars of the Islamic regime and raised concerns over the future of the Shiite Muslim powerhouse, the fourth largest oil producer in the world. Iranian leaders have lashed out at "meddling" by Western nations, and accused the foreign media -- already facing tight restrictions on their work -- and the exiled opposition of fomenting the unrest.