TEHRAN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi called for immediate withdrawal of foreign forces from Bahrain, the local English language satellite Press TV reported on Monday.
Salehi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday.
He stressed the imperative of adopting a prudent position on current developments in Bahrain, the report said.
The Turkish foreign minister, for his part, said consultations between regional countries would represent an effective and important effort in settling regional issues in a rational way as well as meeting popular demands, according to Press TV.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Sunday that Iran had asked one of the Bahraini diplomats to leave the country, the local satellite Press TV reported.
The move came after the Bahraini government decided on Sunday to expel Iran's charge d' affairs.
Officials said the foreign troops would help Bahrain maintain order and protect strategic facilities as the worst protests hit the tiny Gulf nation.
Bahrain, a home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, is ruled by the Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa family where the majority Shiite population said they are facing discrimination in jobs and other services. The kingdom denies such claims.
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