Ahmadinejad visits Central Asia

TAJIKISTAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan Monday on his first international trip since a crackdown on opposition supporters in Tehran left at least eight dead.

After talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon, Ahmadinejad told journalists the two countries would cooperate on regional security. "We will make efforts to ensure security and prevent challenges," he said. "We are following the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the region, and we want peace and stability to be established as soon as possible." Islamist Taliban militants have stepped up a violent campaign in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rakhmon said the meeting had also "expressed support for the realisation of Iran's peaceful nuclear programmes and the resolution of this problem through talks and political and diplomatic methods".

The United States, Israel and other world powers suspect Tehran is making a nuclear bomb under the guise of a civilian programme, something Iran vehemently denies. Tehran is under threat of more sanctions over its nuclear activities. Ahmadinejad also said that Tehran intended to continue investing in energy, agriculture and other spheres in Tajikistan, a country that depends on earnings sent back by migrant workers. Dushanbe, AFP