Gulf States' fears of an Egyptian-Iranian rapprochement are "unjustified" and exaggerated, according to Menha Bakhoum, spokeswoman for Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the 25 January revolution, Egypt declared it would turn a new page in its relations with all countries, Bakhoum told Al-Masry Al-Youm. Citing diplomatic communications currently being conducted, she stressed Egypt's desire to have normalized relations with Iran. "We are prepared to take a different view of Iran. The former regime used to see Iran as an enemy, but we don't," she said. Bakhoum pointed out that Gulf States have relations with Iran, and the United Arab Emirates maintains its ties even though Iran occupies three disputed Emirati islands. She said that the ministry spares no effort in retrieving the money of former officials deposited abroad, and said that as soon as it receives warrants from the attorney general, it contacts the relevant countries to freeze assets and bank accounts. She said any delay is due to the time it takes to translate letters sent by the attorney general. Translated from the Arabic Edition
