Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for expansion of ties between his country and Iraq following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Iran's state news agency (IRNA) reports that President Ahmadinejad said stronger relations between the two nations will help Iraq's development and stability.
The two leaders met late Sunday as part of Mr. Maliki's state visit to Iran, his third since he became prime minister. President Ahmadinejad made a landmark visit to Iraq in March.
Earlier today, the Iraqi prime minister met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and he assured Tehran that a proposed U.S.-Iraq security agreement will not harm Iran.
The comment comes as U.S. and Iraqi officials discuss a security deal that would allow American forces to remain in Iraq beyond December 31st, when their U.N. mandate expires.
Iran opposes such an agreement.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
