Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akabr Salehi has invited the head of the Libyan rebels’ National Transitional Council (NTC) to visit Tehran, a foreign ministry statement said on Tuesday.
“In a phone conversation with the NTC head, Salehi congratulated the victory of the Muslim people of Libya and stressed (the desire) to deepen bilateral ties,” said the statement.
Following an invitation by the rebel chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil, “Salehi invited the NTC head for a visit at an opportune time,” it added.
On Sunday, Salehi said Iran had “discreetly” provided humanitarian aid to Libyan rebels before the fall of Tripoli on August 21.
Abdel Jalil, for his part, “thanked the Iranian government for its humanitarian aid and assistance during tough times,” and called for the return of Iran’s ambassador to Libya, according to the Tuesday statement.
The phone conversation marked the first official contact between Iran and the NTC since Moamer Kadhafi’s capital was overrun by rebels and he went into hiding. Iran has still not officially recognised the NTC.