Iranian FM arrives in Mauritania for unannounced visit

By Mohamed al-Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Nouakchott for an official visit on Monday, during which he is slated to meet high-ranking members of the Mauritanian government.

Zarif -- whose visit was not announced in advance -- was received at Nouakchott’s international airport by Mauritanian Foreign Minister Isliko Ould Ahmed Ized Beih and Iranian Ambassador to Mauritania Mohammad Omrani.

“The Iranian FM will hold talks later today with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the latter’s foreign minister,” one government source told Anadolu Agency.

“Discussions will tackle issues related to bilateral cooperation and recent developments in the region,” the same source said, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on talking to media.

In recent years, Nouakchott has been able to maintain stable diplomatic relations with Tehran without affecting its ties with Saudi Arabia -- seen as Iran’s primary regional rival.

Earlier this month, Mauritania was among eight Arab states that abruptly cut diplomatic relations with Qatar within the context of an inter-Arab political row that remains ongoing.