HAVANA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Raul Castro met with a special envoy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to discuss the reinforcement of bilateral ties, local media reported on Thursday.

    Iranian Minister of Industries and Mines Ali-Akbar Mehrabian conveyed a "personal message" from Ahmadinejad to Castro.

    During their meeting on Wednesday, Mehrabian said the "Iranian people and government feel the friendship and solidarity of Cuba," the Granma newspaper reported.

    Castro sent warm greetings through Mehrabian to Ahmadinejad and expressed his belief in the "continued strengthening of bilateral ties based on respect and mutual benefits."

    Castro also condemned the "trick aggression" of Israel against Gaza, saying that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) had criticized the crimes committed by the Israeli aggressor against the Palestinian people," the newspaper said.