Speaking in a Tuesday meeting with Senegal’s Parliament Speaker Moustapha Niasse in Tehran, Rouhani said the Iranian government and nation have special respect for African people because they fought colonialism for years and are trying hard for further progress and development.
“The US president’s words about African people were very regrettable and wrong and must be condemned, and show that incumbent US statesmen still have not understood the status and grandeur of African people well,” said President Rouhani, according to a Farsi report by his website.
The president noted that Iran stands ready to further expand its relations with Senegal in all scientific, cultural, trade, economic and political fields.
“Promotion of cooperation and ties between Iran and Senegal can contribute to the enhancement of relations between the African continent with the sensitive West Asia region,” Rouhani underlined.
The president said Muslim countries as well as Middle East nations are facing numerous problems, namely terrorism.
“The world of Islam needs more unity and brotherhood, so that it will be able to stand up to the enemies’ plots,” said Rouhani.
He expressed gratitude to the Senegalese government and nation for expressing sympathy over the tragic Sanchi oil tanker incident, adding, “Muslims sympathizing with one another in sad incidents is a sign of Islamic brotherhood.”
The top Senegalese parliamentarian, in turn, offered condolences to the Iranian people on behalf of the Senegalese government and nation over the oil tanker tragedy and hailed President Rouhani’s speech at the 13th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) in Tehran.
He stressed the importance of solidarity among Muslims countries, urging Islamic nations to work towards further consolidating mutual relations and cooperation.
He also paid homage to the founding father of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, by narrating the memories of his meeting with the late Imam.
