Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 3, 2008

Iran's President Says Foreign Forces Should Leave Iraq
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B6CB6C:A6F02AD83191E16082B1427F5BF9174DC030207A0BD70133& Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad accuses US of bringing terrorism and destruction to region
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says U.S.-led foreign forces
should leave Iraq, accusing the U.S. of bringing terrorism and
destruction to the region.







Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, and his Iraqi counterpart
Jalal Talabani, right, sit as their ministers sign bilateral
agreements in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, 03 March 2008Mr. Ahmadinejad said
at a news conference in Baghdad Monday that until six years ago there
was no terrorism in Iraq. He said that western powers should hand over
affairs to the people and governments of the region.

Late Sunday, Mr. Ahmadinejad visited the Shiite Muslim shrine of Imam
Mousa al-Kadhim in the northern Kadhimiya district of Baghdad.

The Iranian president met with his Iraqi counterpart, Jalal Talabani,
earlier Sunday. The two leaders declared a new chapter in neighborly
relations.

Mr. Talabani said he discussed cooperation in economic, security and
oil matters with his Iranian counterpart. Iran and Iraq were expected
to sign at least seven agreements in areas such as industry, trade and
transport during Mr. Ahmadinejad's visit.

Mr. Ahmadinejad described Sunday's meeting as very positive. He said a
developed, powerful and united Iraq will benefit the region.

Mr. Ahmadinejad also met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr.
Maliki said the Iranian leader's visit is a positive example that the
leaders of other neighboring countries should follow.

Prime Minister Maliki also told the Iranian president that Iraq will
try to expel all terrorist groups operating in the country.

Mr. Maliki says these groups include al-Qaida, the Iranian rebel group
People's Mojahedin (Mojahedin-e Khalq), and Kurdish rebels who cross
the border to stage attacks inside Turkey.

Mr. Ahmadinejad rejected U.S. accusations that Iran arms and trains
Shi'ite terrorists who kill Iraqi and U.S. citizens.

The Iranian president blamed the U.S.-led military invasion of Iraq
for the rise of terrorism in the region.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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