Iraq can solve its own problems - Ahmadinejad
TEHRAN, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - The people of Iraq can resolve their internal problems without the involvement of any foreign states, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday, ahead of his official visit to Baghdad.
He will make a two-day visit to Iraq on March 2, the first trip by an Iranian president since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
"In spite of the tough pressure that is being exerted on Iraq, the people of that country are steadily moving down the path of progress," he said.
"The Iraqis have huge human potential, and they are in a position to settle their internal difficulties without outside interference," the Iranian president said.
Iran said it is offering a $1 billion loan to Iraq for projects to be handled by Iranian firms.
"Iran's $1 billion loan to Iraq has been one of the main issues of discussion with the Iraqi side," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Shei ...
