Iran Open To Iraq Meeting, Willing To Improve U.S. Relations

Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett (right) in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 (AFP) May 6, 2007 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki says he is willing to meet with his U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice and to cooperate with Iraq to boost stability.

Mottaki made the remarks on Al Arabiya television today. But he said the talks must be well prepared.

On May 3 in Egypt, Mottaki and Rice greeted one another during a lunch at a conference on stabilizing Iraq.

Lower-ranking U.S. and Iranian officials met during the conference for a brief chat.

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry also said today that Iran and Britain want to improve bilateral ties.

Their relations were strained last month after Iran detained 15 British service personnel.

(Reuters, AP)