Iran: foreign nations shouldnt interfere in Somalia

[Coeus]

Iran: Somalia Capable of Solving Problems without Foreign Interference

TEHRAN (FNA)- Caretaker of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ali Akbar Salehi in a meeting with Somali Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden underlined that Mogadishu is capable of settling its internal problems without interference of foreign countries.

"It is painful for us to see that the Somali people are facing some problems and I am sure that Somalia's people can solve their internal problems without foreign interference," Salehi said on Sunday evening.

Stressing that Iran attaches much importance to Somali, he stressed that if the country can establish complete tranquility, it can be highly influential in the region.

Expressing pleasure in the formation of the new Somali government, Salehi said, "We view Somali as a main segment of the Muslim world and Iranian officials emphasize partnership, empathy and cooperation with Somali."

Tehran has prioritized promotion of its economic and political ties with Africa and the country is now considered as one of the African Union's strategic partners.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has frequently blamed colonialist powers for continued insecurity and instability in Somalia and a number of Islamic states.

"Colonialist governments do not want to see (establishment of) security and tranquility in Islamic states, specially in Somalia which enjoys a very sensitive geographical position," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmad Ali Jangeli on the sidelines of 'Iran-Africa Forum' in Tehran in September.