Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

TEHRAN, Feb. 11--Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei granted amnesty or clemency with regard to 4,893 inmates.
The proposal to the effect was made by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi on the eve of the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory and the leader gave his assent, IRNA reported.
The ten-day anniversary celebrations ended on Monday with nationwide rallies to highlight the most important achievements and successes of the revolution.

TEHRAN, Feb. 11--President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to visit neighboring Iraq by March 19, Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday.
Manouchehr Mottaki made the remark on the sidelines of a meeting between President Ahmadinejad and foreign ambassadors to Tehran on the eve of the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
“All preparations and arrangements have been made for the trip and, God willing, it will take place before the end of the year,“ Mottaki was quoted as saying by IRNA.
He was referring to the Iranian year that ends on March 19.
The president’s trip would make him the first leader of the Islamic Republic to visit its former foe.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said last month Ahmadinejad has accepted an invitation to visit Baghdad but did not announce a date.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari noted that cooperation between his country and neighboring Iran and Syria has improved and the overall situation in Iraq had improved noticeably.
After arriving in Moscow for meetings with top Russian officials, Zebari was quoted by Interfax and RIA-Novosti as saying, “In the course of the past few months, we have noticed an improvement in cooperation in the areas of security with Iraq’s neighbors, particularly with Syria and Iran.“
“We have succeeded on several levels in curbing terrorism in the country, particularly in Baghdad,“ he said.
During his visit, Zebari will also attend a ceremony to mark Russia’s decision to write off a large chunk of Iraq’s estimated $13 billion debt to Moscow.

Land-to-sea electro-optical reconnaissance radar system comprises a night-vision sensor and a distance estimation laser that help identify targets in bad weather.

TEHRAN, Feb. 11--Iranian experts have designed and produced the first-ever land-to-sea electro-optical reconnaissance radar system.
Seyyed Masoud Tabibian, project manager, told Mehr News Agency on Monday that this system was monopolized by developed countries such as France and the United States.
He noted that it uses a supplementary reconnaissance system when conventional radars fail to identify targets in military operations.
Tabibian noted that the system comprises a night-vision sensor and a distance estimation laser that help identify targets in bad weather.
“The system creates an antiradar shield in electronic warfare situations and can also be installed on ships, vehicles and land,“ he said.

TOKYO, Feb. 11--A senior Iranian official has arrived in Tokyo to discuss bilateral ties with Japanese officials.
“The visit is aimed at holding talks on human rights issues, Iran’s judicial system and development of judicial ties between the two countries,“ Mohammad Javad Larijani, secretary of judiciary’s Human Rights Headquarters, said upon his arrival in Tokyo on Monday, IRNA reported.
He added that Iran and Japan enjoy friendly ties and have the potential for further enhancing relations.
“During the visit, the Iranian delegation will also brief the Japanese side on Iran’s stance regarding regional and international issues,“ he said.
Larijani is expected to confer with Japanese officials, including the country’s Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, during his stay in Japan.Ê