Iranian FM Calls for Distinguishing Between Terrorism And Resistance Force

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi Sunday called on the international community to distinguish between terrorists and those fighting for national legitimate rights.

Kharazi made the remarks in Cairo at a news conference following a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, saying that both Egypt and Iran hold identical viewpoint on fighting global terrorism and the two countries are determined not to have contact with terrorists.

He stressed that what is important at the moment is to determine what is terrorism and to differentiate between terror actions and the fighting for national legitimate rights, such as the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation.

Kharazi said that he and Mubarak discussed the Mideast situation following the September 11 terror attacks in the United States, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli violent, the anti-terrorism campaign, as well as bilateral relations.

The Iranian foreign minister called on the Arab and Muslim nations to take actions to probe into the causes of terrorism and differentiate between terrorism and the struggle for national legitimate rights.

He also called for the dialogue of civilizations under the auspices of the United Nations, and the holding of an international conference on anti-terrorism within the framework of the U.N..

Kharazi denied the reports saying that Iran will join in the US-led anti-terrorism coalition.

The minister said that he has conveyed to Mubarak a letter from Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on the Mideast crisis, but did not reveal the details.

Kharazi, who arrived in Cairo late Saturday, is on the last leg of an Arab tour that has already taken him to Syria and Lebanon.

The tour is aimed at preparing for a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on October 9 in Doha, Qatar, to discuss the aftermath of the terror attacks on the United States.






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