Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, has highlighted the necessity of establishing good relations between Tehran and Cairo, and said such ties would the benefit the whole Muslim world. "The resumption of these relations and their return to their normal track is undoubtedly beneficial to the Islamic world and Muslims," Gomma told the Iranian Fars News Agency (FNA) on Saturday. Gomaa said that care must be taken to differentiate the statements and actions of a few who seek to stir up differences and sectarian strife among Muslims from the many others who want to strengthen unity in the Islamic world. Shia Iran and mainly Sunni Egypt severed ties in 1980 following Iran's Islamic revolution and Egypt's recognition of Israel. Both have competed for influence in the Middle East. Egypt has long been an ally of the United States and Israel but since Hosni Mubarak resigned from the presidency on 11 February signs have indicated that relations between Cairo and Tehran are warming. After the collapse of Mubarak's regime, Iranian and Egyptian officials voiced interest in resuming diplomatic relations and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi officially invited his then Egyptian counterpart, Nabil Al-Araby, to visit Tehran. The first publicly announced meeting between officials from both countries since Mubarak handed power to the army occurred in May, and Araby said after meeting Iranian official Mugtabi Amani that Cairo is ready to re-establish diplomatic ties with Tehran. The Iranian foreign minister and his former Egyptian counterpart also held a meeting in Bali, Indonesia in August.
