Khatami discusses in Yemen security cooperation, American presence

President Muhammad Khatami of Iran arrived in Yemen yesterday coming from Syria in the framework of an Arab tour which covers four states during which he discusses with his Yemeni peer Ali Abdullah Saleh means of strengthening economic cooperation and achieving stability in the Middle East region.

Khatami, the first Iranian President to visit Yemen, said in a statement upon his arrival at Sanaa's airport, he will exchange with Saleh views concerning finding out and establishing peace in the region and discussing means of dealing with impeding challenges.

In a similar statement, Saleh said that the talks will deal with the "American presence in the region following the American occupation of Iraq in addition to bilateral relations," adding that the security of the region constitutes an obsession for us as a whole."

In this context, the Yemeni October 26 paper issued yesterday quoted the Yemeni foreign minister Abu baker al-Qurabi as saying that he expects during Khatami's visit six agreements to be signed between the two sides covering areas of security, trade, navigation and the economy.

Al-Qurabi indicated that the talks will deal with the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. He added that "the two presidents will stress their support for stability in Iraq and the establishment of an Iraqi government that represents all sides under an Iraqi administration. The two sides will support the peaceful solution of the Middle East question."