Ahmadinejad Underlines Tehran-Khartoum Unity against West

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran and Sudan stand together as defenders of Islam in the face of pressure from western governments.
"Iran and Sudan will stand together as defenders of the Islamic world and the independence of the region," he said after meeting Sudan's Omar al-Bashir during a brief visit to Khartoum.

"Both countries are facing pressure from the colonialists, who want to impose things that affect our people negatively. They are trying to apply pressure on independent states, because they don't want them to be strong," he added.

Ahmadinejad headed a delegation of government officials, including the ministers of energy and higher education, and a number of economic advisers, who held talks with senior Sudanese officials.

Sudan's delegation included the deputy foreign minister, and the ministers of oil, labor, information and presidential affairs.

Speaking alongside Ahmadinejad after the meeting, Bashir underlined Sudan's support for Iran's nuclear program.

"We will work together to build a relationship based on cooperation and respect and mutual benefits, and we are looking forward to closer cooperation with Iran," he said.

"We confirm that we support the right of Iran to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes."

Ahmadinejad's visit signified further emphasis on the economic and political ties between the two Islamic governments.

In a joint statement released shortly before Ahmadinejad's departure, Iran said it was "ready to transfer its experience in the science and manufacturing sectors, specially technical and engineering services, to improve Sudan's infrastructure."