Pakistan offers to host talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia for resolving disputes

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. AP[/caption]Nawaz Sharif met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, a day after meeting Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh. After his meeting with Rouhani, Sharif told reporters that Iran had expressed an interest in improving relations with Saudi Arabia and would appoint a focal person for future talks.Sharif said he would speak to Saudi Arabia to encourage the appointment of a focal person, and described reconciling the two countries as Pakistan's "prime duty and sacred mission."Pakistan's Foreign Ministry says that Islamabad is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.The Sunni and Shiite powerhouses have been rivals for years but the current tensions worsened after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric who was an outspoken opposition figure on 2 January.Angry crowds in Iran stormed the Saudi embassy, and Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Tehran in protest.Associated Press