CAIRO (AP) — Reconciliation and national unity in Iraq are necessary for the success of US President George W. Bush’s new strategy for the war-torn country, Egypt and Saudi Arabia warned.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar in a meeting with his Sudanese counterpart here on Saturday stressed that withdrawal of the US occupying forces is the only way to restore peace and stability in the region.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s accredited ambassador to Myanmar Mohsen Pak Ayeen said that the double veto of the US proposed draft UN Security Council resolution by Russia and China is viewed as a fresh failure for Washington’s foreign policy.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian embassy in London in an open letter published on January 12, has protested at the western countries’ wrong and unfair treatment of Iran’s nuclear issue.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The five Iranian diplomats who were kidnapped during a raid by the US troops on Iranian consulate general in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil are still incarcerated and diplomatic efforts by the Iranian and Iraqi officials have not yet turned any fruits, an informed source …

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in a phone contact with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari on Friday called for an immediate stop of the United States’ adventurism and illegal measures in Iraq.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was decisive to develop Iran’s ties with Latin American states during his visits to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- A second Chinese oil company is close to signing a memorandum of understanding to invest $3.6 billion in an Iranian gas field amid US pressure for Beijing to scrap another similar deal.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday said Islamabad valued its relationship with Iran, and emphasized strengthening the existing affinity between the two countries by expanding economic ties.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- In the early hours of Thursday morning, US forces raided the Iranian consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, detaining at least five employees. The arrests were clearly aimed at reinforcing the bellicose message contained in President Bush’s speech.