RIYADH: Switzerland has agreed to handle Saudi Arabia’s consular affairs in Iran, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Sunday.
In a joint news conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, Al-Jubeir said Switzerland will also handle matters related to the coming of Iranian pilgrims to the kingdom.
The announcement was made after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received Burkhalter and his delegation at the Al-Yamamah Palace.
Saudi Press Agency said Saudi and Swiss bilateral relations were reviewed during the meeting.
“Switzerland offered to … handle the (consular) interests of Saudi Arabia in Iran, and we in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciated that and accepted,” Al-Jubeir said.
Saudi Arabia withdrew its mission from Iran after mobs attacked the kingdom’s mission in Tehran and Mashhad. The attacks, thought to be organized by a group, came after the execution in Saudi Arabia of a Shiite man who was convicted of terrorism. A number of Saudi allies have also severed or downgraded their ties with Iran in a solidarity move.
Riyadh subsequently told the Iranian mission in the kingdom to leave.
Some countries have offered to mediate but Riyadh has turned down the offer, saying there would be no mediation until Iran stops interfering in the affairs of its neighbors.
Al-Jubeir on Sunday reiterate the kingdom’s stand.

SOURCE:   http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/880401