President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Saturday expressed felicitations to Slovakia’s President Ivan Gasparovic and nation on their country’s National Day.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Saturday said that according to the lesson learned by the Iranian nation at the school of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH),

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Saturday urged the nations with strong faiths to resist and stand against arrogant powers. He made the remark at a gathering of people in the city of Takab

A statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau said that Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Farouq Taha who is currently in Tehran to attend the 3rd meeting of the two countries’ Joint Consulate Commission.

During the meeting, chairman of the Iranian Supreme Court Hossein Mofid pointed out that continued exchange of visits by the two countries’ judiciary officials plays an effective role in preparing the grounds required for the transfer of experiences and development of mutual judicial cooperation.

The two-day visit is aimed at promoting the two countries’ economic cooperation. Informed sources told FNA that during the visit, Salih who is also accompanied by the Iraqi Commerce and Finance Ministers, will take the preparatory steps for the next week visit to Tehran by the Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki. …

BEIRUT (Reuters) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Monday he would appoint a secret negotiator to mediate between Israel and Hizbollah for the release of two Israeli soldiers captured in July. But Israeli officials said Annan’s role was to secure the release of the soldiers demanded by a …

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The United States and Iraq hope to sign an agreement by next week to hand operational command of Iraq’s new army to Prime Minister Nuri Maliki, Iraq said on Monday, after wrangles on wording had held up the accord.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert backed away Monday from the unilateral West Bank pullback plan that swept him to power in March, saying that Israel needs to pursue talks with the Palestinians.

TEHRAN (AP) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday urged more talks to resolve Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West even as Tehran’s hardline leadership said it was pleased with his visit and recent European overtures and accused the United States of sabotaging diplomatic efforts.