Afghan President Thanks Iran For Support

Karzai (left) with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on May 27 (epa) May 28, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in Tehran today on the second day of a visit to Iran, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reported.

Karzai is due to hold talks with Interior Minister Hojatoleslam Mustafa Purmohammadi today to discuss the issue of Afghan refugees in Iran. He earlier met with Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki.


After meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, on May 27, Karzai thanked the Iranians for their support in the past.


"We will never forget Iran's goodwill in accepting our refugees in the past 20 years and Iran's cooperation with Afghanistan in the past four years," Karzai said. "Afghanistan hopes to strengthen further trade and economic ties between the two countries."


Also on May 27, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said cultural, religious, and historical ties have created natural grounds to consolidate bilateral relations.


(with material from IRNA)

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report


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