According to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP, the Saudi Newspaper Elwatan wrote in a column, “The world recognizes us [Arabs] for our money because Western media have depicted Arabs as Bedouins that have piles of oil barrels stacked out of their tents.
“When they ask us whether we are Persian Gulf Arabs, they are in fact implying that we are just rich,” wrote the article.
“What have our embassies done except for issuing visas for pilgrims and considering students’ affairs?” asked the article.
“When sitting in a foreign taxi, they say, ‘Oh! You are rich in oil and gasoline.’ This view is only caused by our indolence.”
“We are stereotyped negatively in the world which is only caused by having too much oil and doing nothing.”
The article also added, “We Arabs have overlooked the role media and diplomacy play in the world unlike Iranians that enjoy strong embassies and media as well as nationals in European countries that can impact decision-making processes in these countries. This is the result of long-term planning by Iranians; there are even many successful Iranian expatriates in countries like the US that reach high-level positions in the decision-making branches of the US government.”
The article also proposed that the potentialities of Saudi students in western countries, trying to infiltrate American and European media outlets and exploiting western stars to promote Arabs are some of the methods that can be used for uplifting the Arab image in the world.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Monday, the Iranian foreign minister said steadfastness and resistance of the Lebanese people would lead to the defeat of the terrorists.
Zarif further said the Israeli regime is a threat to the Middle East, noting that Takfiri terrorists and the Zionist regime are the common enemies of Iran and Lebanon in the region.
“Iran and Lebanon have common enemies such as the Zionist regime as well as Takfiri and terrorist groups; however, beyond the common enemies, there are joint interests for stability and progress between the two countries and we have stood and will stand by the Lebanese people on both grounds,” he said, Press TV reported.
He added that Iran would always support Lebanon and is determined to improve cooperation with the country.
Zarif extended his congratulations to Aoun on his election as the new Lebanese president and said the country’s political achievement was a victory for all the Lebanese people.
The Iranian minister stressed that the two countries have many opportunities to expand political and economic relations, noting that Iran and Lebanon should make use of their common interests to promote stability and progress for the two countries.
“We are optimistic about the future of relations between Iran and Lebanon and these ties, which serve the interests of the two countries’ people and the entire region, are not harmful to any side,” he added.
