Tehran, June 19, IRNA � President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday urged government and local officials to have respect for all ethnic groups without any discrimination.

Iran's President made the comments during a cabinet meeting for electing a new governor general for Khuzestan province located in Southwestern Iran.

Rouhani called on Gholamreza Shariati, who won the cabinet's confidence vote to become the new governor general, to be in pursuit of a moderate policy in the province and respect all ethnic groups in Khuzestan without exercising any discrimination.

President Rouhani also urged the new governor general to exploit all the potential in the region, and pay special attention to development of the province's economy and agriculture.

Speaking about the dust pollution in Iran particularly in western provinces, he recommended local and governmental officials to enter negotiation with the regional states to address the environmental problem which is affecting large areas in the region, including Iran.

Shariati replaced Abolhossein Moqtadayee.

By IRNA