Iraqi PM al-Jaafari on a state visit to Iran
Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari ends his two-day visit to Iran today. He is the first Iraqi leader to visit the Islamic Republic since ties were severed in 1980 at the beginning of the war between the countriesthen led by Saddam Hussein and the ayatollah Khomeini.
The Iraqi delegation also included Interior Minister Bayan Jabr and Defence Minister Saadoun al-Duleini. On the Iranian side, there were Supreme leader ayatollah Ali Kamenei and Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani.
Talks focused on Iraq's reconstruction and border security. Iran will provide technological support, the Trade Ministry said in Tehran. Assistance will include military technology and training for the Iraqi army to stop infiltration by terrorists along Iraq's borders. Iran will also supply US$ 300 million worth in flower. Iran's Foreign export Agency will finance Iranian exporters.
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, many observers have pointed the finger at Iran for supporting terrorism in Iraq and allowing the unfettered movement of terrorists and materiel into the country.
Iran was also accused of backing the revolt of young Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr.
The visit coincides with the worst attack since last February. Almost 100 people died in an attack near a Shiite mosque in Musayyib.
But other attacks have taken place near Sunni and Shiite mosques in recent days.
Two people died on July 12, in a suicide attack against a Sunni mosque in Jalowla, an Iraqi town near the border with Iran.
Four car bombs exploded yesterdaythree in Baghdad and one in Mahmoudiya, killing 22 people.
Since last January elections, the terrorists have been seeking to break up the country and prevent Sunni participation in the parliament.
The escalation in terror is designed to increase insecurity and is the main obstacle to reconstruction and foreign investments.
In his talks in Iran, Prime Minister al-Jafaari has focused on security.
Security will also be the main topic in tomorrow's meeting by the Interior Ministers of Iraq's neighbours, including Iran's Interior Minister's Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari.
The participants will discuss a proposal made by Iraqi Minister Bayane Baqer Soulagh for an anti-terrorist agreement involving Turkey, Iraq, Bahrein, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Iran and Jordan.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad Iraq's special tribunal has laid the first formal charges against Saddam Hussein for a 1982 massacre in the Shiite village of Dujalil. Proceedings are scheduled to begin in August.
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