JAKARTA Iran's new ambassador to Jakarta, Abdullah Zifan, has voiced Tehran's readiness to further promote friendly ties and cooperation with Indonesia. Zifan made the remark in a meeting with the Indonesian President B. J. Habibi in which he handed over his credentials. He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran as the Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) supports any efforts to mobilize assistance to Indonesia and other countries hit by financial crises in East Asia. The ambassador also conveyed a message of friendship from President Mohammad Khatami to the government and nation of Indonesia. Habibi thanked for President Khatami's message and expressed content with the friendly and warm relations between the two countries.

The Indonesian president stressed the need for further promotion of Tehran-Jakarta cooperation at bilateral and international level. Turning to common bonds between Tehran and Jakarta, Habibi called for utilization of the existing potential to expand trade exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries. (IRNA)