UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday called on Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia to "cease and desist" from division if Riyadh was serious about regional peace and security. Iran has sent thousands of troops and advisors to Syria to back President Bashar al-Assad's forces in their fight against rebels supported by Saudi Arabia and other Sunni powers. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran in January after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad following Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric. "The lack of compliance with the deal on the part of the United States in the past several months represents a flawed approach that should be rectified forthwith," Rouhani said. Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled out any detente with Iran's arch foe the United States even after the lifting of economic sanctions in January.

Source: The Star September 22, 2016 16:37 UTC