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/5337300.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iraqi PM on first visit to Tehran Iran offers Iraq 'full support'
(about 11 hours later)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has arrived in Tehran for his first official visit to Iran since taking office in May. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has offered Iraq full support in stabilising the security situation in the country.
He is expected to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He made the remarks in Tehran after talks with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
Speaking to reporters after their meeting, Mr Ahmadinejad said "Iraq's security is Iran's security".
Mr Maliki is making his first official visit to Iran since he took office in May.
"Iran supports the Iraqi government that has been created by the Iraqi people's votes, and strengthening a united and independent Iraq is in the interest of all the region", Mr Ahmadinejad said.
Mr Maliki said his discussions with Mr Ahmadinejad had been positive. "Even in security issues there is no barrier in the way of co-operation."
Few concrete details of their talks have emerged, except that an agreement covering political, security and economic co-operation was signed.
Close ties
After fighting a long war in the 1980s, the relationship between Iran and Iraq has improved since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Many of Iraq's new Shia leaders have close ties to neighbouring Iran.Many of Iraq's new Shia leaders have close ties to neighbouring Iran.
An Iraqi government spokesman told the Reuters news agency that Mr Maliki would be making it clear Iran that what his country needed was stability.
"We want to pass a message to the Iranian leaders that Iraq needs good relations with neighbouring countries, without interference in our internal affairs," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
The official Iranian news agency said the Iraqi prime minister would discuss regional and world issues as well as the situation in Iraq and ways of reinforcing the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Maliki lived in Iran during the 1980s when Saddam Hussein was in power in Baghdad.Mr Maliki lived in Iran during the 1980s when Saddam Hussein was in power in Baghdad.
Saddam trial The United States has accused Iran of destabilising Iraq by backing Shia militant groups there.
The US has accused Iran of sending members of its Revolutionary Guard into Iraq.
Last year, Britain said explosive devices used to attack British troops in southern Iraq had "Iranian elements".Last year, Britain said explosive devices used to attack British troops in southern Iraq had "Iranian elements".
Iran has rejected these allegations.Iran has rejected these allegations.
Mr Maliki's two-day visit to Tehran was due to begin on Monday, but was postponed at the last minute for "technical" reasons, officials said. Mr Maliki is due to meet Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, on Wednesday.
He attended a ceremony in Baghdad to mark the fifth anniversary of the terror attacks on New York and Washington. During his visit, he is expected to also press for the release of six Iraqi border guards who were seized last week after a reported exchange of fire with Iranian forces.
Meanwhile, the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein got under way for a second day. It resumed on Monday following a three-week break.