Arab League chief, Saudi foreign minister discuss overtures to Iran

(WARNING): Article contains propaganda!

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Riyadh - The Saudi foreign minister on Sunday met with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa in Riyadh to discuss Moussa's proposal to open direct Arab-Iranian talks, Saudi diplomats said.

At its recent summit in Libya, Moussa had urged the 22-nation Arab League to talk to Iran directly to address differences and Arab concerns about Iran's growing influence in the region and its controversial nuclear energy program.

The Saudis have so far reacted coolly to the suggestion.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal has previously said that "this was not the right time for a proposal to talk to Iran," and that "a dialogue with Iran should be associated with a change in the Iranian position towards Arab countries."

Arab states share Western fears that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at producing weapons.

Moussa's meeting comes one day after al-Faisal met with Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Jawad Rasouli, and called for "breaking the ice between the two countries."

Saudi diplomats told the German Press Agency dpa that Moussa and al-Faisal also discussed developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Moussa is expected to meet with Saudi King Abdullah to discuss his proposal for direct Arab-Iranian talks.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320479,arab-league-chief-saudi-foreign-minister-discuss-overtures-to-iran.html.