TEHRAN – In a meeting between Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and the emirof Qatar, both sides agreed de-escalation is the “only solution” to theregional crisis, the emirate’s ruler said afterwards.
Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the region but also enjoysstrong ties with Iran, with which it shares the world’s largest gas field.
“This visit comes at a critical time in the region,” Emir Sheikh Tamim binHamad Al-Thani said on what was believed to be his first official visit tothe Islamic republic.
“We agreed… that the only solution to these crises is de-escalation fromeveryone and dialogue.”
For his part, Rouhani said: “Given the importance of security of theregion… we’ve decided to have more consultations and cooperation for thesecurity of the entire region.”
Also on Sunday, Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards,said that missiles it fired early on Wednesday on Iraqi bases housing UStroops did not represent an attempt to kill American personnel.
“Our aim was not really to kill enemy soldiers. That was not important,” hetold parliament.
The current crisis claimed a tragic toll when Iran — on hair-triggeredalert just after attacking the Iraqi bases — last Wednesday accidentallyshot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane, killing all 176 peopleaboard.
After days of denial from Iran, Rouhani on Saturday admitted to “humanerror” in bringing down the Boeing 737, and the Guards’ aerospace commanderGeneral Amirali Hajizadeh accepted full responsibility.
On Saturday evening, a memorial at Tehran’s Amir Kabir University in honourof those killed turned into a demonstration that, AFP correspondents said,was attended by hundreds of students.
They shouted “death to liars” and demanded the resignation and prosecutionof those responsible, Fars news agency reported, saying that police”dispersed” them.
Around the same time, Iranian police temporarily arrested the Britishambassador, Rob Macaire, who had attended the vigil, sparking a freshdiplomatic crisis.
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Macaire tweeted Sunday that “I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations!Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of #PS752 tragedy”.
“Normal to want to pay respects — some of victims were British. I leftafter 5 mins, when some started chanting,” he said.
– ‘Death to Britain’ –
Fars news agency said Macaire was summoned on Sunday to Iran’s foreignministry for his “presence in illegal gatherings”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s official protest was conveyed to him and tothe British government,” it said, citing the ministry.
Later on Sunday up to 200 protesters rallied outside the British diplomaticmission, chanting “Death to Britain” and burning a Union Jack.
Elsewhere in Tehran, tensions appeared to be mounting again, with a heavypolice presence notably around the iconic Azadi Square south of the centre.
Riot police armed with water cannon and batons were seen at Amir Kabir,Sharif and Tehran universities as well as Enqelab Square.
Around 50 Basij militiamen brandishing paintball guns, potentially to markprotesters to authorities, were also seen near Amir Kabir.
The destruction of the airliner has sparked deep shame in Iran, and severalnewspapers called for resignations and sackings over the handling of theair disaster. -APP/AFP
