Kazakhstan calls Saudi Arabia, Iran for political dialogue

Kazakhstan urges Saudi Arabia and Iran to take actions to prevent an escalation of tension, said the Kazakh Foreign Ministry Jan. 6.

“We urge the leaderships of the region’s fraternal countries that are friendly to us, namely, Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as other countries to take necessary actions to prevent any further escalation of interconfessional tension, and establish a political dialogue and hold talks among the two countries to ensure agreement and resume diplomatic relations,” said the ministry in a statement.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran soured after execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric, by the Kingdom along with other 46 people, which was followed by a strong protest from Iran.

Mass protests took place in Iran following the said execution. In particular, the Saudi embassy in the capital Tehran and the consulate in the city of Mashhad were attacked, after which Riyadh broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran on Jan. 3.

“Kazakhstan stands for a political solution and a dialogue as the only true way to resolve this situation," read the statement.

The statement also stressed the concern over the rising tension in relations between these countries amid the threats to the regional security and stability, and highlights the need to accelerate the global fight against terrorism.

/By Trend/