File Photo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in February 19, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt said it completely rejects Iran’s interference in Arab countries' domestic affairs after Iran’s supreme leader said that Iran backs the “oppressed people” in Bahrain, read a statement from Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Khamenei said that the newly-reached nuclear deal would not alter Iran's support for the governments of Syria and Iraq, nor its backing for "oppressed people" in Yemen and Bahrain, and the Palestinians.
In its statement, Egypt also called on Middle East countries to respect the articles of the United Nations’ charter that highlight non-interference in other states’ affairs.
The ministry's statement also emphasized Egypt’s solidarity with its fellow Arab neighbours in facing any foreign interference.
Shiite Iran has repeatedly expressed support for the majority Shiite citizens of Bahrain, ruled by the minority Sunni monarchy.
In 2011, Bahrain's Shiites demonstrated against the regime as part of the "Arab Spring" uprising, demanding greater democracy and more rights.
Protests were violently suppressed by the Bahraini authorities, aided largely by neighbouring Sunni Saudi Arabia.
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