Re-opening of Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia helpful to region: UN spokesman

UNITED NATIONS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The re-opening of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia is helpful for the region, said a UN spokesman on Tuesday.

In reply to a question at a daily press briefing whether the re-opening of the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia is a positive move in the region, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said: "I think any time two countries, especially two countries with so much influence in that area -- in the Gulf -- are engaged in open and constructive dialogue, it is helpful to the region."

Iran re-opened its embassy in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after seven years of closure, nearly three months after the two countries agreed to restore bilateral ties under a China-brokered deal.

In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a groundbreaking agreement in Beijing to resume diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies and missions.