Ahmadinejad departs on Africa tour

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has departed Tehran for Zimbabwe on the first leg of his trip which will also take him to Uganda.

Before his departure at the Mehrabad International Airport on Thursday, the president told reporters that the visit comes as part of his administration’s plan to consolidate ties with African countries.

He said that he is to inaugurate a production line of tractors in Zimbabwe as well as attending the country’s International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.

In Zimbabwe, President Ahmadinejad will also meet President Robert Mugabe to discuss political and economic cooperation as well as regional and international issues.

The Iranian president will then leave for Uganda, where he will meet with his counterpart Yoweri Museveni and other officials to discuss various issues including “joint economic ventures” and “mining activities”.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, senior aide Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi and the head of the presidential office Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei will also accompany the president on his African tour.