Iran leaders won’t attend receptions serving alcohol

Elysee officials cancel plans for official dinner

TEHRAN, Nov 11, (AFP): Iran’s leaders won’t attend events serving alcohol, a diplomat said Wednesday after French media reported that President Hassan Rouhani refused to attend a state dinner in Paris because wine was on the menu.

“According to Islamic values and teachings, officials of the Islamic Republic do not participate in ceremonies where alcohol is served,” said the diplomat, who is in charge of protocol at Iran’s foreign ministry, according to ISNA news agency.

RTL Radio reported this week that Elysee officials had cancelled plans for an official dinner for Rouhani hosted by President Francois Hollande after Iran insisted it had to be alcohol-free.

Rouhani will travel to Italy and France on November 14-17 in a visit seen as an opportunity for rapprochement and renewed trade ties in the wake of July’s landmark nuclear deal following years of strain between Tehran and the West.

Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb some elements of its nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of UN, US and European economic sanctions.

Rouhani is also set to meet Pope Francis during the Italian leg of his trip.

In October 1999, the reformist former president Mohammad Khatami also refused to attend a reception at the Elysee Palace because wine was to be served. Palestinian politicians gather at the house of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City on Nov 10, for a ceremony during which the ruling Hamas movement handed over the house and his belongings to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Palestinians will mark on Nov 11, the 11th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death with a march from his burial site to an Israeli

checkpoint at the entrance to Ramallah. (AFP)