TEHRAN: Gulf neighbors Bahrain and Iran said yesterday they will maintain good relations, indicating that the diplomatic row that erupted between them last week was over.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who met with the visiting Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa, called for “more closeness and cooperation between the two nations,” state television’s website reported. “This friendship and closeness will not leave any opportunity for the mischief of evil people,” the president said.
Delivering a message of “friendship and brotherhood” from King Hamad to Ahmadinejad the visiting Bahraini official stressed the “importance of expansion of relations with Iran for Bahrain’s government and nation.” Sheikh Khaled also met with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, stressing that the kingdom will continue “good neighborly” relations with Iran.
In a short statement, the two men indicated that the diplomatic row was over. “It is a goodwill letter which shows mutual respect between the two countries,” Sheikh Khaled said of the king’s message.
