In a statement issued on Thursday, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that “any problem was created either on his (Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi’s) arrival or departure.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects claims that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran is included on the list of persons banned of entering or exiting Cyprus (Stop List),” the statement added.
Citing Cypriot media, the Turkish television channel TRT Turk earlier alleged that the Iranian foreign minister had been detained at the airport of Larnaca in Cyprus on Tuesday.
The false report alleged that Salehi had been detained because his name was on the EU sanctions list, but he had been quickly released.
The fabricated report is yet another manifestation of the seemingly interminable campaign by Western media, especially those affiliated to the Zionist regime of Israel, aimed at tarnishing the image of Iranian authorities and portraying the Islamic Republic in a negative light.
Salehi departed Tehran for the eastern Mediterranean country on Tuesday to hold talks with Cypriot officials, including President Demetris Christofias, on bilateral ties as well as the recent regional and international developments.
irna/281
Publish Date: 29 June 2012 - 12:58
The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports by the Zionist-affiliated media that the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi was detained in Cyprus during a recent visit.