Kuwait stresses Iran ties to fight extremism

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has called for the strengthening of Iran-Kuwait cooperation to counter extremism and find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

In a Tuesday meeting with visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Kuwaiti emir said his country does not approve of “military and security” approaches to the Syrian crisis.

He added that Kuwait attaches significance to the expansion of all-out regional cooperation as it will serve the interests of Kuwait and other states in the region.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, said, “Syria is taking steps in the direction of the democratic and political settlement of the crisis by holding elections; but, certain sides that talk of the continuation of support for irresponsible armed groups are fanning the flames of violence and terrorism.”

Syria has been gripped by deadly militancy since March 2011. Damascus blames the West and its regional allies for fuelling violence in the country by providing militants with money and weapons.

Amir-Abdollahian further said that Iran and its neighboring countries, particularly the Persian Gulf littoral states, are pursuing the right path in their ties by making joint efforts.

He warned against terrorism, extremism and sectarian strife in the Middle East and added, “We believe that all Muslims countries will be harmed by this extremism and Takfiri terrorism; and if this trend is not stopped, it will not be easily reversible.”

“Iran’s message is security for peace and fighting extremism and violence,” the Iranian official pointed out.

Also during his meeting with Sheikh Sabah, Amir-Abdollahian further extended Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s official invitation to the Kuwaiti emir to pay an official visit to Tehran.