Iran?s parliament speaker snubs German minister
 

TEHRAN: The speaker of Iran´s parliament, Ali Larijani, cancelled talks with German Eco**my Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Tuesday during his high-profile trip to Tehran, snubbing the German who had earlier stressed the need for reform in the Islamic Republic.

Larijani, seen as a moderate conservative in Iran, was the highest-ranking figure Gabriel was due to meet on his two-day visit aimed at boosting business ties. ** reason was given for the cancellation, a spokeswoman for Gabriel said.

Gabriel had on Monday backed reforms pursued by President Hassan Rouhani.

“The alternative to the current government is a return to the times of great confrontation,” Gabriel said.

He said Germany wanted to help improve the eco**mic lot of people in Iran so that the government did **t lose support.

Gabriel has also warned Tehran that to **rmalise relations, it must accept Israel´s right to exist and urged Iran to do what it could to push for a ceasefire in Syria. Although a moderate conservative, Larijani cooperated closely with the government of pragmatist Rouhani in approving Iran´s nuclear deal with world powers last year.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/World...~4/2YopU5GkFDQ

أكثر...