Following yesterday's signing of a memorandum of understandings for defense cooperation between Iran and Qatar, Iranian Defense Miniser Ahmad Vahidi and Qatari Chief of Staff Hamid bin Ali Al-Atiya.

Al-'Atiya said "Certainly, this cooperation document will lead to the stabilization of peace and security in the region and will have positive effects on the expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries."

The MoU includes exchanging technical delegations, expanding bilateral educational cooperation, and fighting terrorism and elements of insecurity.

Vahidi said that Iran was interested in strengthening defense ties with the Gulf countries, and that Iran-Qatar relations should be a model for them.

Sources: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, February 25, 2010; Al-'Aalam, ISNA, Fars, Iran, February 24, 2010.