The announcement came as Iran prepared to host a two-day meeting of Iraq's neighbors on November 30 at interior minister level as part of efforts to restore security in the war-torn country.

The head of the meeting, Ali Asghar Ahmadi, who is Iran's Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs, stated that topics for discussion will be 'Iraq's situation, control of common borders, assistance to Iraqi border guards as well as cooperation among neighboring countries and the Iraqi government'.

He said the interior ministers of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt as well as a representative of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will participate at the meeting.

"The inaugural ceremonies of the meeting will be on the afternoon of Tuesday, and the meeting of the specialists and specialized roundtables will be held Wednesday in the presence of the interior ministers of Iraq and Egypt," Ahmadi added.

The official said bilateral as well as multilateral meetings will be held on the sidelines of the meeting, including with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.

"The meeting will be wrapped up Wednesday with the release of a statement," he said, adding 'fighting terrorism' as well as 'emphasis on Iraq's independence and territorial integrity' are among the points incorporated into the draft document.

Ahmadi touched on bilateral issues of Iran and Iraq, including their security concerns because of terrorist activities inside the war-torn country, which he said would be tackled at the meeting.

He said Iranian border guards are currently in charge of guaranteeing security at the two countries' 1,609-kilometer common border.

"The Islamic Republic is ready to train Iraqi police and border guards and even equip them as well as help with the country's reconstruction," Ahmadi said.

"Cultural amenities among the Iranian and Iraqi nations, geographical closeness as well as the two countries' common interests and persuasion provide an even ground for Iran's participation in Iraq's reconstruction," he added.

The official reiterated Tehran's rebuttal of allegations that Iran sought to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs.

"The Islamic Republic, since the invasion and occupation of Iraq (by US-led forces) has announced that it does not accept this invasion.

"Iran has also indicated that it wants the issue of guaranteeing Iraq's security and the country's administration be left to the Iraqis," he said.

Ahmadi further rejected reports about alleged arrest of Iranian nationals for involvement in terrorist activities in Iraq, saying '(interrogation of) the arrested suspects has shown that there is no Iranian among them'.

The official also stressed the need for confronting all terrorist groups in Iraq, including the terrorist Iranian opposition Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO).

"Terrorist groups, including the Munafeqin (Iran's description of MKO which means hypocrites in Persian and Arabic) grouplet which has taken refuge in Iraq since the era of Saddam Hussein, must not be given chance of any activity in Iraq," Ahmadi said.

The MKO, classified as a terrorist organization by the US State Department as well as Europe, was reportedly dismantled in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq, but since then there have been increasing reports about clandestine cooperation between the group and the US intelligence.

Ahmadi reiterated Iran's willingness to increase cooperation with Iraq and expand the two countries' economic and trade ties.

"The Islamic Republic stresses the need for protecting Iraq's independence, territorial integrity and unity as well as leaving administration of the country to the Iraqis and avoiding interference in the country's domestic affairs."

The official further reiterated Tehran's call for withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq and deployment of UN peacekeepers until general elections are held in that country.

... Payvand News - 11/28/04 ... --