Iraqi president to depart for Iran next week

Iraq's President Jalal Talabani will visit Iran next week in response to the official invitation of his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad.

According to a statement released by Iraq's Presidential Office, Ahmadi-Nejad's official letter of invitation was submitted to Talabani by the Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi at a meeting on Friday.

"At the meeting, the Iraqi president urged the need to expand mutual relations, particularly in the field of trade, and raise the level of cooperation in various domains including security," added the statement.

For his part, the Iranian diplomat underlined Iran's support for the Iraqi government based on national unity.

"Kazemi Qomi and President Talabani discussed expansion of bilateral ties and ways of raising the level of relations in line with the interests of both sides," added the document.