Iran President To Open Gas Pipeline During Turkmen Visit

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is due to open a visit to Turkmenistan today that is expected to include the official launch of a second natural-gas pipeline between the two countries.

The new pipeline connects Turkmenistan's Dauletabad gas field to Iran's Sarakhs region, and officials have said the line has an initial capacity to transport 6 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Iran.

A first pipeline from Korpeje in Turkmenistan to Kordkuy in northern Iran was launched in late 1997.

The Iranian president is expected to hold talks with Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov during his two-day visit.

Ahmadinejad was scheduled to arrive in Turkmenistan following the conclusion of a trip to Tajikistan.

compiled from agency reports