TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Thursday that the Sudanese should practice self-restraint and follow their demands peacefully.

“Iran has always wanted stability and security in the Muslim countries and we hope that all the Sudanese sides would practice self-restraint and follow their demands through dialogue and peaceful ways,” he said.

Qassemi noted that Iran’s principled policy is non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

Sudan’s military announced on Thursday Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was president, have been ousted. 

Sudan’s Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf was sworn in on Thursday as the chief of the new military council that replaced Bashir amid growing calls for a civilian government, according to Press TV.

Iran welcomes Egypt’s withdrawal from Arab NATO

Qassemi also said that Iran welcomes Egypt’s withdrawal from the proposed Arab NATO.

“This news report has not been confirmed yet, however, Iran welcomes it once it is confirmed,” he said.

“Egypt is an important and powerful country both in the Arab world and the world of Islam that can play important role in creating peace, stability and security in the West Asia region,” Qassemi stated.

He added that Egypt can play important role in maintaining unity in the world of Islam through a realistic view.

“We hope that Egypt, as an unquestionable power of the Arab world, will be able to fulfil its historic mission under the current circumstances of the world,” Qassemi explained.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Cairo had informed the U.S. and other participants in the proposed Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) of its plan for the withdrawal.

An Arab source stressed that Egypt had pulled out of the so-called “Arab NATO” because of its doubts about the seriousness of the proposal as well as fears that such an Arab front would increase tensions with Tehran, according to Press TV.

NA/PA