Shuttle diplomacy effective in alleviating Bahrain crisis: Salehi

TEHRAN, May 14 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Saturday welcomed the Bahraini king’s willingness to hold talks with Iran, saying his recent visits to the Persian Gulf states have improved matters in Bahrain.

Salehi made the remarks on the sidelines of a ceremony exhibiting the Foreign Ministry’s historical maps which have recently been inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register list.

“These trips were very effective. I am sure you have heard the Bahraini king’s latest remarks. It was a good step that he (King Hamad) took,” Salehi told reporters when asked about the effectiveness of his recent visits to Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to help resolve the Bahrain crisis

According to Press TV, at a meeting with the members of Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa said Manama seeks “brotherhood” in its relations with Iran and “offers friendship” to the Islamic Republic.

“We are hopeful that we will see the Bahrain issue is settled in a way that the oppressors’ pressure on the Bahraini people is relieved and they can achieve their legitimate aspirations, and the nation and government can live together in peace,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

He also advised the Bahraini government to respond to people’s demands, saying it is not logical or sensible that the Bahrain officials take measures which can alienate people from the government.

“The Bahraini people’s demands like demands made by the Tunisian and Egyptian people have nothing to do with the issues of Shia-Sunni and Iranian-Arab,” he said. “These issues are raised to divert attention.”

“We are trying to put this point across to the Bahraini government,” he explained.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi announced that it is more than likely that he will make a trip to Kuwait during the current week.