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London, Feb 7, IRNA -- With the world bracing for a showdown between the US and Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Thursday that regular exchange of views between Tehran and London in the coming weeks was very vital.
Blair met Kharrazi at Downing Street for 30 minutes of talks which focused on the Middle East developments and ties with Tehran as a signal that the British premier was prepared to differ with the US over Iran relations and that he attached importance to the Islamic Republic's position in the prevailing crisis.
The British premier sent his greetings for President Mohammad Khatami and hoped to meet him in the future. He also stressed London's policy to maintain constructive dialogue with the Islamic Republic according to mutual respect and boost relations with it.
Blair described the situation in the Middle East critical, saying time was running for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and that "Saddam's link with terrorist has now become evident".
Kharrazi announced Iran's readiness to discuss with Europe, including Britain, a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis. "Iran has seen harm from Saddam's government more than any other country, but it is opposed to any military attack to change the regime in Iraq," he said.
"It is up to the Iraqi people to determine their own destiny and establish democracy in their country," Kharrazi said as he called for a full disarmament of the Iraqi regime and its submission to UN arms inspectors.
"Iraq has the responsibility to effectively cooperate with arms inspectors in order to remove any pretext for a (US) adventure," he added.
The Iranian foreign minister reiterated the Islamic Republic's call for a fundamental fight against terrorism and extremism, saying there was need to identify roots of "this ominous phenomenon", including injustice in the world, especially in the occupied Palestinian lands.
Kharrazi also expressed his concern over the escalating Israeli aggression in the occupied lands and the situation of the Palestinian people.
"The only way for the establishment of peace and stability in Palestine is to restore the rights of Palestinians and hold justice," he said.
Kharrazi arrived in London Wednesday for a lightning one-day visit. He also met with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and the chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Donald Anderson.
In their talks, the two sides said they were content with the ongoing progress of bilateral ties in many areas, including on the back of their accords for removing double taxation and supporting joint investment.
They also stressed their interest in expanding cooperation in the areas of education, environment, health and the fight against illegal drugs.
Kharrazi meanwhile discussed developments in Afghanistan as well as parliamentary, trade and investment cooperation in his talks with Anderson.
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