TEHRAN -- Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here Monday that Iran considers no limitation in expanding cooperation with Yemen.

In a meeting with the new Yemeni ambassador to Tehran, Jamal Abdullah Al-Salal, Rafsanjani called Yemen a country with deep roots and an ancient civilization. “The Islamic Republic is ready to promote ties with regional countries with which it has cultural and historical affinities,” he added. “Efforts should be made to use all potential in line with common goals of the two countries.”

Rafsanjani said the response by the Islamic countries to the recent anti-Islamic propaganda especially the offensive remarks by the Pope Benedict XVI was a sign of new efforts by the Islamic ummah to revive its religious identity. “The Muslims’ reaction to the publication of disrespectful cartoons in Western papers and the pope’s illogical statements led to the reaction of Islamic governments as well and this potential should be used to return success to the Islamic world.”

The Yemeni envoy called for promotion of Sanaa-Tehran ties, saying sharing Iran’s experiences on developing the country can help step up the relations between Yemen and the Islamic Republic.

Salal stressed Iran’s legitimate right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

“Tehran’s nuclear activities are within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation,” he added.