Egyptian nation calling for closer ties with Iran

Egypt's Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Mohammad Abd al Fadil el-Qousy said that Egyptian people are insistent on having closer relations with Iran.Speaking to FNA on Tuesday, Qousy, who is also a senior scholar at Al Azhar University, voiced the necessity for a rapprochement in ties between the two Muslim nations. "We consider the Islamic Republic of Iran as a powerful regional country, and naturally its siding and companionship with a powerful Egypt together with (our) unity in beliefs and religion will bring the two countries much closer to each other," the minister stated. Meantime, Qousy warned about US-Israeli plots to sow discord among Muslims, Shiites and Sunnis in particular. He said the minute differences seen between some Shiite and Sunni groups are the product of the US and Israeli attempts since proximity and unity of Muslims would be an impediment to the preservation and attainment of their goals and interests. "They see sowing discord and division among Muslims as the sole way to prevent materialization of the unity (among Muslims)," the minister stated. After the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime, the Iranian and Egyptian officials voiced their interest in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On May 30, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi voiced confidence about the improvement of relations between Iran and Egypt, but meantime said that resuming ties between the two Muslim states needs time and patience. "Egypt is currently under certain pressure. Yet, the Egyptian government and nation are in consensus about the improvement of relations with Iran as soon as possible," Salehi said at the time.