TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has responded to a joint statement issued by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union in which they indirectly accused Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of PGCC member states and other countries in the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said these countries are accusing Iran of interfering in Libya, while they themselves are sending troops to suppress the popular uprisings.
Iran only gives spiritual support to the people, who are expressing their legitimate demands in a peaceful manner, he noted.
“Is not it considered military intervention in Libya, which instead of preventing the clashes and the killing of innocent peoples, has led to an infliction of damages on the civilian peoples?” Mehmanparast asked
Mehmanparast said popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa are the consequences of implementing policies of rulers who do not pay attention to the demands of people.
These governments also prioritized their dependence to the extra-regional countries over the interests of their own people, Mehmanparast stated.
Commenting on the military intervention of certain regional countries in Bahrain, Mehmanparast said regional countries should utilize their potential to counter the Zionist regime and the enemies of Islam.
He also criticized European countries for their indifference to these crimes, saying their behavior shows their double standards of the EU toward human rights issues