JEDDAH – The Kingdom and other world powers voiced hope for better engagement with Iran after moderate cleric Hassan Rohani was declared its new president. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in a cable of congratulations on Sunday lauded Rohani's statements on his keenness to cooperate and improve relations between the two countries, reported the Saudi Press Agency. Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, also congratulated Rohani and wished him good health and happiness and the people of Iran steady progress and prosperity, the SPA reported. Rohani's election ends eight years of conservative grip on the presidency, and he used his first statement after his win was confirmed to announce a “new opportunity” for the West to treat Iran with respect and to recognize its rights. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan wrote in a telegram to the new Iranian presaident: “We look forward to working together for the good of this region and the Emirati and Iranian peoples.” Leaders of Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar also congratulated Rohani, who grabbed 50.6 percent of the votes in Friday's election, state news agencies in their respective countries said. UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged Iran to play a “constructive role” in regional and international affairs, his office said in a message congratulating Rowhani and welcoming the reported high turnout. Ban “intends to remain engaged with the Iranian authorities and with the president-elect on issues of importance to the international community and the welfare of the Iranian people,” his office said. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was committed to working with Rohani to find a “swift diplomatic solution” on finding a solution to the disputed nuclear program. Ashton serves as chief negotiator for the six world powers seeking to check Iran's nuclear ambitions. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris was “ready to work” with Rohani, and said the nuclear program and its involvement in the Syrian conflict would be high on the agenda. Britain urged Rohani to set Iran “on a different course,” while German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle welcomed Rowhani's election as a vote for reforms and “a constructive foreign policy.” The key opposition grouping the Syrian National Coalition called on Rohani to review Iran's support for President Bashar Al-Assad's regime. – With agencies
