BEIRUT: Education Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed the need for science and technology cooperation with Iran during meetings Monday on the sideline of a ministerial conference in Tehran.

The state-run National News Agency said Bou Saab stressed the “importance of [Iranian] President [Hasan] Rouhani’s proposal to establish a center for scientific and technological cooperation.”

It said Bou Saab’s remarks were made during meetings he held with ministers and officials among the participants of Non-Aligned Movement member states who took part in the conference, which got underway Monday.