Iran, Egypt edge closer to restoring ties after 25 yrs

‘‘The two countries have decided to restore ties…and right now they are making the preparations,’’ Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Ali Abtahi said.

In Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher insisted it was too soon to speak of a decision on normalising ties. ‘‘When a decision is taken, it will be announced. There is no official announcement from anywhere,’’ he said.

The two countries have been edging closer in recent years and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met on the sidelines of a conference in Geneva last month — the first such meeting for more than two decades. Some analysts said an agreement could pave the way for Iran to hand over captured Al Qaeda members — a key US demand. Among those Tehran is believed to be holding is Egyptian Saif Al-Adel, Al Qaeda’s suspected operations chief.

The ground for restoring ties was paved by Tehran City Council which on Tuesday agreed to rename a street which commemorated Khaled Islambouli, an Islamic radical who opposed the Camp David deal and killed Sadat in 1981. The street’s name was changed to Intifada Street, after the Palestinian uprising, at the request of Iran’s Foreign Ministry. Cairo had demanded Iran rename the street before it would contemplate restoring ties. — (Reuters)