Deployment of occupying forces and insecurity are Iraq’s problems, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a meeting with his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer in New York on Thursday.

The leaders of Iran and Zimbabwe are looking to form a self-styled “coalition for peace”.

Malaysia and Iran have forged closer understanding on the role of Islamic countries in dealing with groups that are often in conflict with the religion.

Turkey considers Iran a key energy partner as it needs Iranian gas to feed a rapidly growing energy demand, a Turkish energy executive said on Wednesday following US calls on Ankara to cut business ties with Tehran.

Total reiterated on Thursday it was still in talks with Iran to carry out a multibillion dollar gas project but added a decision on investment was not in sight.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini has strongly condemned the US House of Representatives’ decision to declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, calling it an “irresponsible and illegal” act.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is turning to South American nations who are embracing him as an energy and trade partner and counterweight to US influence.

BEIRUT (AFP) – Lebanon’s parliament on Tuesday adjourned for four weeks a crucial session to elect a new president for lack of a quorum and to allow more time for MPs to reach agreement on a consensus candidate.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – US President George W. Bush told Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Tuesday that his government must do more to help advance national reconciliation.

BAGHDAD (AP)- A suicide car bomber Tuesday attacked a police headquarters in Basra, killing at least three policemen, wounding 20 other people and raising fears about security in the oil-rich southern city now that British forces have withdrawn.