Hajj success opens way for talks with Saudi: Iran

Iran yesterday thanked Saudi Arabia for its handling of the annual hajj pilgrimage, saying it opened the way for negotiations between the regional rivals.

"We thank Saudi Arabia... for adopting a new approach in dealing with Iranian pilgrims," said Ali Ghazi-Askar, the head of the hajj organisation in Tehran, according to the state broadcaster.

Some 86,000 Iranian pilgrims took part last week in the hajj. They were unable to attend in 2016 after talks collapsed over security concerns.

Iran had been highly critical of Saudi Arabia's organisation efforts in the wake of a stampede during the 2015 hajj that killed up to 2,300 people, including hundreds of Iranians.

"There are always differences arising among countries but the important thing is for the parties to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation," said Ghazi-Askar, according to the ISNA news agency.

"Right now, after holding a successful hajj, it is a good time for both parties to negotiate to resolve their bilateral issues in other fields."

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif remained circumspect, however, saying he had yet to see "a clear prospect for change" in the relationship.

"If such a development occurs in the Saudis' mentality, it will definitely be a positive development and will be met with Iran's positive reaction," he told Khabar Online newspaper.

Meanwhile, France's foreign ministry said yesterday that it picked its former ambassador to Saudi Arabia as a special envoy to see how Paris could support mediation efforts in the rift between Qatar and several of its neighbours, reported Reuters.

"I confirm that Bertrand Besancenot, diplomatic advisor to the government, will soon go to the region to evaluate the situation and the best ways to support the mediation and appease tensions between Qatar and its neighbours," Foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne told reporters in a daily briefing.