Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned of enemies' plots to sow discord among Muslims by fooling a group to resort to radicalism, and stressed that Islam is strongly opposed to violence and extremism.

"The enemies of Islam are seeking to create rift among Muslims and push them to violence through (magnifying) religious differences, but in Islam's view violence and extremism are rejected and we should strive to increase friendships and closeness among Muslims," Rouhani said in a meeting with new Malaysian Ambassador to Tehran Raja Noor Shirvan Zeinolabedin on Monday.

Elsewhere, he called for the further broadening of ties between Iran and Malaysia, and said, "The people of both countries have always had good relations and we are interested in developing these ties."

Zeinolabedin, for his part, lauded Iran's useful and constructive role in the settlement of regional and international problems, and expressed the hope that cooperation with Tehran in fight against violence and extremism would lead to the further expansion of bilateral relations.

Iran and Malaysia share many cultural and social affinities and the ties between the two countries' people are very close.

Bilateral trade relations between Iran and Malaysia are also on the rise and Tehran and Kuala Lumpur are cooperating on many regional and international issues.

Both countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and have used these forums and bilateral relations to develop more cordial and closer political ties.

(FNA) EA