Iran's Khatami calls for elections in Iraq in talks with Prince Charles

[Barrett808]

Iran's Khatami calls for elections in Iraq in talks with Prince Charles

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's President Mohammad Khatami defended democratic ideals during talks with Britain's Prince Charles, calling for a quick transfer of sovereignty in Iraq.

Marking the first visit to the Islamic republic by a member of the British royal family, the two men -- smiling broadly -- had earlier shaken hands in front of dozens of photographers and cameramen.

They then exchanged pleasantries through interpreters before going into private talks, during which Khatami discussed with Charles his idea of a "dialogue among civilizations", the official news agency IRNA said Monday.

As his pro-reform party announced it would take part in parliamentary elections later this month despite the mass disqualification of reformist candidates by conservatives, Khatami stressed, "Democracy is a process which cannot be established by writing directives, or by imposition from outside."

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