Iran opposes foreign involvement in Caucasus

The Iranian President, Mohammed Khatami, has repeated his opposition to foreign involvement in the Caucasus.

Mr Khatami said that states outside the region wanted to keep a presence in the Caucasus because it was strategically important and would bolster their basis worldwide.

He was speaking during talks with the visiting Georgian foreign minister, Irakli Menagharishvili.

Mr Khatami said Iran and Georgia had an important role in establishing peace and stability in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service