SAUDI, IRAN TALKS BODE WELL FOR MIDDLE EAST: On Sunday, the Saudi government confirmed it had held its first round of direct negotiations with the new Iranian government of President Ebrahim Raisi. This is a step in the right direction, as a detente between the two major Middle East powers can only be good news for the region. Saudi Arabia hopes that the talks will form the basis to address unresolved issues between the two sides. There is no denying that Iran has a place in the Middle East. It is an ancient civilisation and a major state in the region. But it must realise that its interests are best served by good relations with its neighbours. And for that to happen, the government in Tehran has to take two important steps: (i) Come clean on its nuclear, and ballistic missiles, programmes; and (ii) stop interference in the affairs of Arab states. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]
AFP