TEHRAN – Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has said that Iran plays an important role in the region.

He made the remarks during his meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Kuwait on Thursday. 

In the meeting, they explored ways to strengthen Iran-Kuwait relations and exchanged views on developments occurring in the region. 

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the role of Iran in establishing peace, stability and security in the Middle East region.

He reiterated Iran’s position that there is no military solution to the popular uprising in Bahrain. 

The withdrawal of foreign forces from Bahrain would be the first step toward mending the rift between the people and the government, he stated in an indirect reference to the presence of Saudi forces in Bahrain.

The Saudi kingdom has sent troops to Bahrain to quell pro-democracy protests. 

Amir-Abdollahian also emphasized that necessary efforts should be made to prevent foreign intervention in Syria and help the Syrian nation and government stand up to the Zionist regime.

In the meeting, Sheikh al-Sabah said that relations between Kuwait and Tehran are based on mutual respect and also called for expansion of ties between the two countries. 

He also expressed hope the Kuwaiti emir’s trip to Tehran in the near future would lead to an increase in ties.