This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7273431.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Iran leader in landmark Iraq trip Iran leader in landmark Iraq trip
(40 minutes later)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Baghdad on the first ever visit to Iraq by an Iranian president.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Baghdad on the first ever visit to Iraq by an Iranian president.
The visit marks the culmination of a process of normalisation between the two countries after the long war they fought in the 1980s.The visit marks the culmination of a process of normalisation between the two countries after the long war they fought in the 1980s.
Correspondents say the two-day visit is a strong show of support for the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad.Correspondents say the two-day visit is a strong show of support for the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad.
Mr Ahmadinejad is meeting the Iraqi PM and president - both of whom have visited Iran.Mr Ahmadinejad is meeting the Iraqi PM and president - both of whom have visited Iran.
Security is heavy for the visit, with Iraqi patrols said to be every 100m along the road to the airport. The US is not involved in security for the visit and did not provide helicopters to transport Mr Ahmadinejad into central Baghdad.
The US is not involved in security for the visit. Is it not funny that those with 160,000 forces in Iraq accuse us of interference Mahmoud Ahmadinejad class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7273284.stm">Ahmadinejad's historic visit
It has accused Iran of supporting Shia militants in Iraq, a charge Tehran denies. He had to travel by car along the usually dangerous road from the airport to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's residence near the US-controlled Green Zone.
He was warmly greeted by Mr Talabani as he walked down a red carpet, meeting members of the Iraqi government.
Mutual accusations
Security is heavy for the visit. Iraqi patrols were said to be stationed every 100m along the airport road, which was closed for all other traffic.
The US has accused Iran of supporting Shia militants in Iraq, a charge Tehran denies.
Before leaving for Iraq, Mr Ahmadinejad laughed off the American accusations.
"Is it not funny that those with 160,000 forces in Iraq accuse us of interference?" he asked.
The US and Iran are also at odds over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran says its programme is for peaceful power generation only but the US and other Western countries fear Tehran is trying to build nuclear weapons.The US and Iran are also at odds over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran says its programme is for peaceful power generation only but the US and other Western countries fear Tehran is trying to build nuclear weapons.
The UN Security Council is currently considering new sanctions against Iran and a vote could take place as soon as Monday.The UN Security Council is currently considering new sanctions against Iran and a vote could take place as soon as Monday.
All this puts the Iraqi government nervously in the middle, allied to both the United States and Iran, says the BBC's John Leyne in Tehran.All this puts the Iraqi government nervously in the middle, allied to both the United States and Iran, says the BBC's John Leyne in Tehran.
Despite the reconciliation between Baghdad and Tehran, many analysts believe in the long term the two countries are destined to be rivals.Despite the reconciliation between Baghdad and Tehran, many analysts believe in the long term the two countries are destined to be rivals.