TEHRAN – The improved ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia is vitally important for settling regional issues and the Muslim world as well, President Mohammad Khatami said on Monday. In a meeting with the Saudi Shura Council Chairman Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid, Khatami said that the leaders of both states are determined to further develop joint cooperation, IRNA reported. He added that the improper approach of Saddam Hussein is responsible for the great loss the world of Islam and the region has undergone. Underlining Iran's principled policies toward Saddam's former regime, he noted that the regional countries can contribute to establishment of security in the region. The president hoped that the Iraqi people will manage to govern their own fate as soon as possible with the close cooperation of regional and neighboring countries and under the auspices of UN. He stressed that Islam should respond to man's daily needs, approve democracy, domination of people and interstate cooperation in the Islamic countries. "Extremism and terrorist attempts provide the enemies with pretexts to assault other countries and interfere with promotion of the Muslims' welfare," he added. President Khatami once more condemned recent terrorist acts in Saudi Arabia. He reiterated that the Islamic states can tackle common threats by cooperating with one another on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The chief executive noted that Iran's foreign policy is founded on detente and confidence-building with all world countries, specially its neighbors. "The parties who are against the interests of Islam and the region wish to provide a gap between the Muslim nations. The parliaments which represent nations should attempt to improve the interstate ties," he added. In the meeting, which was also attended by a member of Majlis Presiding Board, Ahmad Bourqani, Abdullah bin Hamid expressed satisfaction over the parliamentary ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia and said that broad-based expansion of relations will be to the benefit of both major Muslim countries. Turning to his talks with Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi, he said that Saudi Arabia's approach towards the Palestinian crisis is stable, transparent and based on the Holy Quran and Divine Islamic beliefs. Pointing to Iran's status in the world of Islam, he underlined the need for coordination among the Muslim countries. "Islam is undoubtedly a religion of peace, security, justice and a source of virtue for the mankind and such a concept should be properly promoted worldwide," he added. Declaring the serious opposition of Saudi Arabia to terrorism, the Saudi parliamentarian said that there is no connection between Islam and terrorism. "However, a nation's attempt to secure its legal rights and terrorism should be differentiated from one another," he concluded

The Saudi Shura speaker also on Tuesday held talks with the former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in which they discussed regional issues as well as problems facing the Islamic world. At the meeting Rafsanjani called for practical cooperation with Saudi Arabia to settle existing problems facing the Muslim world particularly under current critical situation.

Rafsanjani referred to the current crises in the region resulting in the presence of foreigners and stressed the need for serious and practical planning by Islamic states to deal with the US threats against Muslims.

Terming the issues of Palestine, Iraq and terrorism as being among the most important challenges of the Islamic world, he said, "These issues are totally inter-related." "One of the main objectives of those occupying Iraq under pretext of fighting terrorism and weapons of mass destruction was to ease the mounting problems of the Zionist regime," Rafsanjani added. "The U.S. and its allies trample on the rights of regional Muslims particularly the Iraqi and Palestinian peoples," said the Expediency Council chairman, adding "the oppression would ensure the failure of the US in its schemes in the long run." The issue of refugees in Palestine and the establishment of a popular government in Iraq are among major issues, he said, adding that "Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries should seriously help the Iraqi people and the Palestinian refugees to reach their demands."

Bin Hamid, for his part, termed ties between Tehran and Riyadh as "favorable" and urged the two sides to take serious steps to further expand political and economic ties, coordinate the stance of the two countries and help settle regional problems.

"The Saudi Arabia has a transparent stance on Palestine and believes that Palestinians' right should be fully observed and the Palestinians should administer their own affairs," he said.

The Saudi official described current situation of Arabs as "unfavorable" and expressed the hope that a popular government would be established in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia attaches importance to the campaign against terrorism, he said adding that Riyadh totally rejects any link between Islam and terrorism and calls for separation between terrorism and a legal campaign.