Iran has appointed Ali Akbar Sibavih as ambassador to Egypt, the first time in 30 years it has appointed an envoy to the Islamic Republic, RIA Novosti reports.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported on Tuesday that it has not decided on restoring bilateral ties with Iran, spokesman for the ministry Menkha Bakhum said.
Iran broke diplomatic ties with Egypt in 1980, when Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel. Iran and Egypt have improved ties in the last years, despite pressure from the USA, accusing Iran of developing nuclear arms, and fears around the Cyprus.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil al-Arabi expressed willingness to re-open relations.
Air travel between the two states was restored in October 2010. A new impulse to the diplomatic relations started after the revolution in Egypt on January 25.
Egypt had mass disorders in late January, resulting in Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigning on February 11. The power in Egypt was taken by the military. They managed to stabilize the situation and stop protesters. Egypt will hold parliamentary and presidential polls in September.
