Iran to make new proposals on Gulf cooperation

Tehran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday he would present "new proposals" to boost cooperation and security in the region during a summit of Gulf Arab leaders.

Ahmadinejad is travelling to Qatar to become the first Iranian president to attend the two-day Gulf Cooperation Council meeting.

Iranian officials said this was the first time an Iranian president had been invited to a GCC summit.

"It seems a new chapter has been opened in the relations between the Gulf States," Ahmadinejad said on his way to Qatar.

GCC members Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar share concerns about Iran's nuclear programme and some have maritime border disputes with the country.

"Naturally I will present new proposals to expand cooperation and ensure regional security and I hope they will be considered by our brothers," Ahmadinejad said.

"Iran's definite policy is to promote broad cooperation with all countries particularly friendly neighbouring countries," he said.