TEHRAN, Oct. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Iran on Wednesday expressed readiness to render services necessary for Iraq's reconstruction and Iran is committed to participating in the peace and security efforts in the war-torn neighbor, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    This was announced by Hossein Sheikh Zeinoddin, an Iranian official in charge of aiding Iraq's reconstruction at a meeting of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq. "The existence of a free and independent Iraq will redound not only to our benefit but to peace and stability in the entire region," he said.

    "Iran's foreign policy towards Iraq is based on mutual respect and the understanding that joint efforts and expansion of economic ties will be in the interest of both sides,"

    "Iran gives special importance to the reconstruction of Iraq,considering it to be a factor for strengthening regional stabilityand security," the official stressed.

    Iran, during a donors' conference earlier this year, decided to provide 10 million US dollars for Iraqi reconstruction, and it has given a 300-million-dollar bank loan guarantee as one of its contributions to the Financial Assistance Fund for Iraqi reconstruction.

    Officials from 55 countries and international organizations are attending the two-day meeting which began on Wednesday morning in Tokyo. Enditem