Iran Welcomes Ortega
TEHRAN, Iran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday he hopes Nicaragua and Iran can work together to create a fairer world order, as he welcomed Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega for the two leaders' second visit this year.

"Iran and Nicaragua will try to establish an order based on peace and justice," Ahmadinejad said, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency, as he welcomed Ortega for a two-day visit.

Ortega said his visit was intended "to improve relations between the two countries," according to IRNA.

But Ortega also stressed that even as Nicaragua is strengthening ties with Iran, the country also wants to work closely with the United States, the news agency said.

In January, Ahmadinejad met Ortega during his tour of Latin America in search of an alliance of like-minded countries.

Ahmadinejad also met with close ally and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa and Bolivian leader Evo Morales. All are outspoken critics of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Iran has long had close relations with Cuba and Venezuela. But the rising number of leftist leaders in Latin America and their growing frustration with Washington have given Iran an opportunity to expand its influence there.

Ortega has vowed to maintain relations with Washington and build a more moderate administration than his turbulent, Soviet-allied government of the 1980s.

But he also has sought close ties with and financial aid from Washington's outspoken critics, including Iran, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Ortega said his country and Iran had agreed to "support each other to help Nicaragua" end its poverty.