Iran, Algeria vow to enhance ties

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stressed the importance of taking practical steps to bolster ties with Algeria in line with the interests of both countries.

Ahmadinejad, who left Tehran for New York to attend the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly, arrived in Algiers on Saturday in the second leg of his three-nation tour.

In a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the two presidents exchanged views on promoting mutual relations as well as the key issues of the Muslim world including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Bouteflika pointed to Iran’s position in the Middle East and the Muslim world and said Algiers is resolute to expand relations with Tehran.

He added that the expansion of ties between Iran and Algeria would be beneficial for Muslim countries.

Ahmadinejad’s visit to Algeria comes after his trip to Damascus and meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier in the day.

The Iranian president is slated to attend the UN General Assembly and the Millennium Development Goals summit to be attended by 140 heads of states in the United States. He will also hold talks with officials from various countries.