New Iranian Ambassador Presents Credentials
By Yusuf Alghali

10th October 2003- Mr. Ali Sayeed Tahaghoghi Manhiyi is the new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sierra Leone. Speaking during his formal presentation of his letter of credence to President Kabbah at the Hill Station Presidential Lodge this morning, the envoy noted that in the past decades, diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Sierra Leone underwent fluctuations due to different reasons.

He was hopeful that in this new era of peace and tranquillity, he would be able to successfully take steps for the promotion and consolidation of bilateral and multilateral relations where the support of the President and cooperation of other leaders of Sierra Leone would be indispensable components, he said.

He said it was his conviction that one of the most essential mechanisms to achieve the mentioned goal is to further the agreements and letters of understanding concluded between the two countries which were not put in full practice due to the critical situations of the past.

President Kabbah noted with satisfaction the envoy's enthusiasm to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. "I want to encourage you to use your good offices to consolidate those cordial relations, especially in the economic and cultural fields," he said, hoping that cooperation would be intensified in the years ahead to their mutual benefit.

In the same vein, the Head of State said he also shared the envoy's concern for the need to place greater emphasis on South-South co-operation, which undoubtedly would impact positively on their fragile economies. "We should therefore spare no effort in our struggle for a more equitable world economic order that would secure a better deal for developing countries," President Kabbah said, adding that his government and the people of Sierra Leone remained appreciative of the positive and timely diplomatic as well as material support received from the Islamic Republic of Iran during the ten years of turmoil in the country. "We are indeed grateful," he concluded.