Nigerian president in Iran

The Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has begun a three-day official visit to Iran.

On his arrival Mr Obasanjo outlined his main objective as oil cooperation and said he was counting on Iran's experience in this area. Both countries are key members of OPEC, and the visit comes just before the organisation's meeting next week in Vienna, where members are expected to cut oil output in an effort to prevent a fall in prices. Mr Obasanjo will be holding talks with President Mohammed Khatami, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, and other senior officials.

This is the first visit to the Middle East by the Nigerian president -- who's a born-again Chirstian -- since he came to power in May 1999.

Correspondents say trade links between Nigeria and Iran are poor and relations have lately been dominated by religious issues.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service