"We will not be happy over the division of a large Islamic country... as Iran`s policy has been of preserving territorial integrity and unity of countries," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Fars news agency.
"But if they eventually decide to divide Sudan, we will pursue balanced, respectful relations with regard to the policies that the new leaders in south Sudan will declare," Mehmanparast said.
The marathon task of counting the ballot in south Sudan`s independence referendum was underway on Sunday after the week-long polling on partitioning Africa`s largest nation closed.
The vote was the centrepiece of a 2005 peace deal that ended a devastating 22-year civil war between north and south that cost around two million lives. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
