Ahmadinejad seeks stronger Iran-Iraq ties

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in Iraq on Thursday that Tehran and Baghdad have an "exceptional" role to play in the region's security. "The role of the two countries in the security of the region is exceptional," Ahmadinejad told reporters in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, but without elaborating. "We carry a joint message, which is a message of progress and stability and security, and also a message of peace," Ahmadinejad said after talks with Iraqi Vice President Khudayr al-Khuzaie. Earlier, the outgoing president began arrived in neighbouring Iraq to a red carpet welcome. Ahmadinejad was received by al-Khuzaie at Baghdad International Airport. A source from Iraq's Foreign Ministry told Arab Today that the Iranian president would meet Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other top Iraqi officials. On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed details of Ahmadinejad's planned state visit to Iraq. The ministry said that Ahmadinejad would discuss regional and international developments with his hosts during the trip. The trip is Ahmadinejad's second official visit to Iraq. His visit there in 2008 was the first by an Iranian president since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The two fought a bitter eight-year war in 1980-88. During the 1990s, the Iranian regime supported Iraqi opposition parties, such as the Badr Organisation. Several Iraqi politicians have in the past accused Iran of being behind the sectarian violence in Iraq. Ahmadinejad has served two terms in office. President-elect Hassan Rowhani is to be inaugurated on August 3.