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Iran's Ahmadinejad to visit UAE Iran's Ahmadinejad in UAE talks
(about 10 hours later)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to visit the United Arab Emirates, the first such visit since Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is holding talks with United Arab Emirates officials in a milestone visit, the first by an Iranian head of state.
Relations have been strained by a long-running territorial dispute. Regional security co-operation and trade were discussed, while energy and Islamic issues were also on the agenda.
Nevertheless the UAE is trying to strike a balance in its relations with Tehran and Washington The two countries are locked in a long-standing territorial row.
Pulled in different directions by their Iranian neighbour and their American ally, the Gulf Arabs are struggling to preserve a kind of anxious neutrality. The two-day trip comes a day after a visit by US Vice President Dick Cheney. The UAE is trying to strike a balance in its relations with Iran and the US.
Ever since the UAE was created as a federation of seven Arab sheikhdoms in 1971, it has had a sensitive relationship with Iran. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan said Abu Dhabi wanted the "elimination of the causes of tension in the Middle East", state news agency WAM reported.
It was in that year that Iran - then ruled by the Shah - took over three small islands near the mouth of the Gulf which were claimed by two of the sheikhdoms. "The international community should take into consideration, when making relevant decisions, the interest of all countries and peoples of the region, in a way that would ensure security... and continued development," Sheikh Khalifa said.
The territorial dispute has rumbled on to this day. Nevertheless Iran and the UAE have an important trading relationship, and want to keep it that way. Island row
For the Emirates, that means a delicate juggling act in maintaining good relations with both Iran and the United States. Sheikh Khalifa and top UAE officials greeted Mr Ahmadinejad's arrival amid much fanfare.
Just a few days ago, US Vice-President Dick Cheney visited the UAE as part of a regional tour. It is the first visit of an Iranian head of state since the UAE was formed in 1971.
He declared America's intention of working with others to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and - as he put it - dominating the region. That year, Iran - then ruled by the Shah - took over the three small islands near the mouth of the Gulf - Abu Mousa, and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs - which were also claimed by two of the UAE's seven sheikhdoms.
The Gulf Arabs are certainly worried about Iran's regional ambitions, but they also mistrust American intentions - and that is something President Ahmadinejad will hope to exploit during his visit. The UAE has repeatedly called for direct talks or international mediation to resolve the dispute, but Iran insists it has full sovereignty over the islands and rejects any negotiations.
Despite the political tension, the UAE is Iran's largest trading partner, and both want to keep it that way, says the BBC's Julia Wheeler in Dubai.
Earlier this week, the UAE said it would free 12 detained Iranian divers in an apparent goodwill gesture before the visit.
The divers were detained on 1 May while working on a sunken ship 18 nautical miles off the disputed Abu Musa island.
Mr Cheney visited the UAE as part of a regional tour to rally support from Arab allies and counter Iran's influence in the region.
During the visit he refused to rule out the use of force against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is peaceful and intended solely to produce energy.
Mr Cheney chose a US aircraft carrier in the waters which divide Iran and the UAE from which to warn Tehran that the US and its allies would not let it restrict sea traffic or develop nuclear arms.
There is no doubt the UAE is one of those allies - and its ruling sheikhs will be steering carefully between the viewpoints of their recent and current visitors over the next few days, says our correspondent.