Rouhani's Message Submitted to Qatar

In a short visit to Doha on Saturday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari submitted President Hassan Rouhani's "message of amity" to the neighboring Persian Gulf Arab state.  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the trip was part of regular consultations between the two sides, adding that the deputy foreign minister held talks with Qatari officials on mutual ties and regional issues, ISNA reported.  Qatar is at the center of an ongoing Arab crisis arising from its support for Iran and Islamist groups such as Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have cut diplomatic relations and transport links with the tiny emirate.  The message was submitted to Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to be conveyed to the emir, who has stressed the need to recognize Iran's role in resolving the increasing crisis in the strategic region.