Iran FM met with Mindanao governor

Iran FM met with Mindanao governor

TEHRAN (AFP): Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati met with the governor of Mindanao here yesterday and called for greater cooperation with the autonomous Moslem-majority island of the Philippines.

"While supporting the territorial integrity of the Philippines and the development of bilateral relations we are ready to cooperate with the southern autonomous region," the official IRNA news agency quoted Velayati as saying.

During his meeting with Mindanao governor Nur Misuari, who arrived here on Friday, Velayati also paid tribute to the "positive role" of Philippine President Fidel Ramos in restoring peace to Mindanao, IRNA said.

Mindanao is home to the four-million-strong Filipino Moslem minority.

Misuari, a former rebel leader, was installed last year as Mindanao governor following the signing of a peace agreement between his Moro National Liberation Front and the government, ending 24 years of bloody sectarian strife.