Iran says ready to help in Iraq’s reconstruction, security

    TEHRAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran said Wednesday that it was ready to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction and promotion of its security, as Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was making his second visit to Tehran in less than one year, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (C) shakes hands with Iran's ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi-Qomi (L) as he arrives at Tehran's International airport August 8, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Iran has always tried to restore security to Iraq because the country's security will benefit both Iran and the region," Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi was quoting as saying.

    Davoodi held a meeting with Maliki after he gave an official welcoming ceremony for the visiting Iraqi prime minister, who arrived here Wednesday morning for talks with Iranian leaders on improving the security situation in Iraq.

    Davoodi said Iranian technicians and entrepreneurs were ready to contribute to refinery construction, petrochemical, hospital building, water and sewerage, power, telecommunications, and scientific projects in Iraq.

    For his part, Maliki said that Iraq wanted to use Iran's experience in many fields, including power transmission, swap of oil derivatives and completion of power plants.

    He hoped that Iranian companies would invest in and contribute to implementation of development and infrastructure projects in Iraq.

    Both officials stressed the development of cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad in the fields of industry, energy, commerce, trade and economy given the two countries' abundant capabilities, according to IRNA.

    Maliki will also meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Judiciary Head Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi, Majlis (Iran's parliament) Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel as well as other senior officials.

    Spokesman of the Iraqi government Ali al-Dabbagh has said that Maliki is to discuss promotion of Tehran-Baghdad relations, Iraq's security situation and ways to support the Iraqi government in his meetings with Iranian officials.

    Upon his arrival, Maliki was welcomed by Iranian Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah, with the presence of a large number of foreign ambassadors.