Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri will travel to South Africa to attend memorial services for anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, Iran’s ambassador in South Africa confirmed to Nasim.
Following reports by western media claiming Iran’s President Rouhani will take part in the funeral of Mandela and will have a sideline meeting with his american counterpart, an official in Iran’s Presidential Office in an interview with Nasim on Sunday scaled down the possibility of a direct meeting between Rouhani and Obama on the sidelines of Mandela’s funeral, saying that Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani’s participation in the funeral of Mandela is unlikely.
In a Friday message to South African President Jacob Zuma, Rouhani expressed deep sorrow over Mandela’s demise, describing him as a unique and international figure.


”Nelson Mandela had a firm belief in the freedom and equality of all humans, not only in his country South Africa, but across the world. He never faltered in this strongly held belief,” said President Rouhani in his message.


“On this rough and rugged road replete with hardships, Mandela magnificently bestowed meaning on the ‘long path to freedom’ by suffering displacement, distance from home and family and long-term imprisonment,” Rouhani added.


In a message on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also expressed his condolences to the South African government and nation over Mandela’s passing away.


The Iranian minister described Mandela as a great leader in the fight against racial discrimination.

Zarif said Mandela was a “lasting symbol of freedom-seeking and fight against apartheid.”

By Nasim Online

 

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