Middle Orient

BAGHDAD – U.S. and Iraqi commanders on Saturday hailed a big improvement in security over the past year, while al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused the Americans of seeking to exploit Iraq’s oil wealth.

KARACHI – Two suspected suicide bombers were killed in Pakistan’s central Punjab province early on Sunday when the devices they were carrying exploded prematurely in an apparent botched attack on a former minister, police said.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s nuclear capability brings balance of power to the region and strengthens Muslim and Arab world against the Zionist regime of Israel, a former Lebanese minister said.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that talks and dialogue between Tehran and Washington are not the goal pursued by his country’s attendance in negotiations with the US over Iraq, “rather we accepted to attend these talks to help Iraqi nation and government”.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran closed its border with Pakistan on Saturday in view of the uncertainty in Pakistan.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran on Saturday renewed support for Iraqi government and nation and said the new proposals it had presented for discussion in the fourth round of its talks with Americans on Iraq fall within the same framework.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran has started construction of its first local nuclear power plant in Darkhowayn, Energy Minister Parivz Fattah said Sunday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday that Iran welcomes conclusion of a deal with the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council members for free trade.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stressed the need to forge long-term stable relations with the Persian Gulf countries.

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki flew to London on Saturday for what he said was a routine medical checkup, but an official in his office said it was treatment for exhaustion.