Iran offers nuclear co-op with Egypt

 Source: alalam.ir, 31-12-2008
CAIRO-Former Iranian top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani says the Islamic Republic is ready to cooperate with Egypt on nuclear issues.
Larijani told a press conference in Cairo that Iran would share its nuclear knowledge with Egypt only with the approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said Tehran is ready to cooperate with Egypt and other Arab states on guaranteeing security and stability in the Arab world, especially in Iraq and Lebanon.
"Egypt and Iran have an important role in fostering peace and security in the Middle East because the two countries are strong and have special status in the Islamic world," the Iranian diplomat said.
He added that it was up to Iran to join forces with the Arab world to stand up to the shared dangers and challenges faced by all Muslims.
He also discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, saying that there is no excuse to keep the Islamic Republic's nuclear file at the UN Security Council.
He said: "America and the West must accept the fact that Iran has acquired nuclear technology. They must take a reasonable position on the issue."
Larijani arrived in Egypt last Tuesday to hold talks with Egyptian officials.
Diplomatic ties between Tehran and Cairo were severed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, but in recent months the two countries' senior officials have launched a series of fence-mending measures.