TEHRAN (FNA) – According to the latest statistics from Iran, the total trade volume between Iran and China exceeded US$20 billion in 2007, soaring more than 38% from the previous year.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht said Iran plays a “quite constructive and significant” role in the Middle East region.

TEHRAN (FNA) – A Turkish official has refused a US request to scrutinize and then suspend the activities of the Turkey-based Iran’s Bank Mellat.

TEHRAN (FNA) – A top Iraqi diplomat said Wednesday his country’s relations with Iran were improving and downplayed the role of the US presidential election campaign on the timing and manner of the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said on Thursday that oil markets were well supplied and he saw no need for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to boost production at its meeting on Friday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iran’s top legislative official who met Wednesday with Egypt’s president said the two countries could soon restore diplomatic relations severed nearly three decades ago.

TEHRAN (FNA) – A one month delay to consider a new UN Security Council draft resolution against Iran’s nuclear program would not be a disaster, a South African official said on Thursday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday to attend the 10th summit of the African Union.

ASADABAD, Afghanistan (AFP) — Taliban militants beheaded Wednesday four Afghan roadworkers abducted a week ago while a series of rebel bombings killed three civilians, authorities said.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — NATO on Wednesday urged Canada not to pull its troops from Afghanistan’s dangerous Kandahar region and pledged to help find the 1,000 additional allied troops Ottawa is demanding.