Tunisia -- Tunisian Supreme Islamic Assembly President Ali al-Shabi here Monday said Iran has a 'crucial' role in shaping developments of the Muslim world, and stressed that, as it did in the past, it must continue as a champion of Islamic values among Muslim countries of the world.

Al-Shabi, speaking at a meeting with Mostafa Haeri Fumani, the special envoy of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi who is currently in the country, said that Persian language and culture "undeniably" contributed to the flourishing of Islamic civilization.

He said Islamic civilization is a mixture of elements from Arab and Persian cultures which are 'the most basic constituents that can never be separated from each other.' Fumani, for his part, stressed the importance of identifying the influence of Persian civilization on Islam and vice-versa, and said Muslim countries are duty-bound to remove religious differences among Muslim states.

In related news, Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs Jelloul Jeribi, in a separate meeting with Fumani in Tunisia on Sunday, highlighted the efforts of the Islamic Republic in furthering the idea of dialogue among civilizations.

Jeribi said Tunisia will stand strong behind the Islamic Republic in propagating President Mohammad Khatami's initiative, stressing the two countries' shared stances on the issue.

He voiced delight over the progress of mutual relations, and said Tunisia is ready to implement the agreement signed by the two countries to broaden cooperation in Qoranic and Islamic studies.

Fumani expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Tunisian government to spread Qoranic studies in his country, and underscored the desire of the two countries to continue cooperation in other areas. These areas, he pointed out, includes the struggle to effect religious solidarity, to push forward the cause of "dialogue among civilization" and to champion the rights of oppressed Palestinians.

Fumani arrived in Tunisia on Saturday for talks aimed at exploring ways of enhancing mutual cooperation.