Retno Marsudi also emphasized that Indonesia remained neutral as a friend of Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has offered to mediate in the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia through peaceful negotiations, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated here on Thursday.

In pursuit of a peaceful solution to the feud between Iran and Saudi Arabia, in the last few days, Marsudi had intensified communication with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and several countries, such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Russia.

"We will continue to take all necessary efforts to prevent the situation from deteriorating, and all intensive communication will be continued," she remarked during the Foreign Ministers Annual Press Statement in Jakarta.

To this end, Marsudi said Indonesia reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East as the situation in the region would be heavily influenced by the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

She also emphasized that Indonesia remained neutral as a friend of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

"Indonesia has called on all parties to exercise restraint, so as not to exacerbate the current situation," she noted.

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters infuriated by Riyadhs execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias embassy in Tehran and its Consulate General in Mashhad in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in intrusions into the diplomatic and consular premises, causing serious damage, according to the councils statement.

Expressing "deep concern" over the attacks, the council has called on the Iranian authorities to protect diplomatic and consular property and personnel, and to fully respect their international obligations in this regard.

However, the statement by the 15-member council, which called on Iran to protect diplomatic personnel and property, made no mention of the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday after protesters ransacked and set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad, after Saudi Arabia executed Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr .(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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