Iran, Benin call for expansion ties

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Benin’s President Thomas Yayi Boni have called for expansion of ties between the two countries.The two leaders made the remarks at a joint conference held at the airport of capital Cotonou after the Iranian president’s arrival in the West African country on Sunday, according to (Press TV).“The two countries are determined to expand their cooperation,” Ahmadinejad said, adding, “Iran and Benin have great potentials in different fields such as economy, culture, tourism, and trade, which could be employed in the interest of the two nations.”Yayi for his part called for boosting relations between the two countries, saying, “Ahmadinejad’s presence in Benin shows [Iran's] friendship with Africa.”Earlier in the day, the Iranian president left capital Tehran to begin a three-day tour of Africa.Ahmadinejad said he is making the visit upon an invitation by the presidents of the three African countries of Benin, Niger, and Ghana