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Ahmadinejad Calls on US to Quit Iraq

'No one likes them,' Iranian prez says of coalition forces

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 3, 2008 5:10 PM CST

(Newser) – As he headed home after his historic visit to Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized the American occupation, CNN reports. “No one likes them," the provocative Iranian president said of the US-led coalition. "We believe that the forces which crossed oceans and thousands of kilometers to come to this region should leave this region and hand over the affairs to the peoples and government of this region."

Ahmadinejad said Iraq and Iran signed agreements of understanding on border and economic issues, and he announced a plan to hook Iraq into Iran’s power grid. American officials said they had no issues with the Iranian head of state's visit: "These are two countries that are going to have to have relations with one another,” said a State Department spokesman.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

President Bush gives emphasis to his answer when asked by a reporter during a news conference why he rejects the notion of meeting with adversaries without preconditions, in particular, Iran and Cuba,... (Associated Press)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad smiles prior to a news conference as he arrives at the Mehrabad airport in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 3, 2008, after his two-day visit to Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Associated Press)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reacts during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 3, 2008. Ahmadinejad on Monday dismissed U.S. accusations that his country is training extremists... (Associated Press)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, touches his face as he prepares for a news brief while he arrives at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 3, 2008, after his two-day visit to Iraq.... (Associated Press)

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Ahmadinejad Calls on US to Quit Iraq