Iran, Zimbabwe Sign Economic Agreements

Zimbabwean President Richard Mugabe (file photo) November 21, 2006 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his visiting Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe, have signed economic agreements in a number of sectors that include energy and technology.
Mugabe hailed today's deals as "proof of the strength" of the ties between the two countries.

The Zimbabwean leader is on a four-day visit to Iran.

Mugabe and Ahmadinejad on November 20 vowed to strengthen ties between Tehran and Harare in a bid to counter what they called "the U.S. and British domination over the world."

Similar pledges were made today when the two presidents met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mugabe has been widely criticized in the West for his authoritarian tactics.

He has, in recent years, reoriented Zimbabwe's foreign policy to include increased ties with Iran, China, and Libya.

The deals also cover cooperation in the areas of agriculture and education.

(AFP, IRNA, Fars News Agency)