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.