The Iranian leader Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left Banjul in the early hours of Monday morning after a day's visit. On Sunday night he was hosted to a dinner by his Gambian counterpart Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

Earlier the two leaders signed a joint communiqué in which they reiterated their desire to strengthen the excellent relations between Tehran and Banjul. In the Communiqué, read by the Foreign Minister of the Gambia Ousman Jammeh and his Iranian counterpart Manoucherhr Mottaki, President Ahamadinejad and Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr Yahya Jammeh renewed their conviction to fight against all forms of threat to global peace, security, and progress.

The two leaders acknowledged Iran's active engagement with African countries and recommended the holding of an Iran- Africa Summit within the framework of the African Union. The Gambia commended the Islamic Republic of Iran for its role in restoring peace and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the bilateral level the two leaders promised to continue to share experiences built on the spirit of self- reliance. On the multi- lateral front, they vowed to strengthen South- South cooperation within the agenda of the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC and the Non- Aligned Movement, in the spirit of tolerance and respect for the rule of law in order to attain world peace and security. President Ahamadinejad expressed gratitude to his host Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr. Yahya Jammeh and the people of the Gambia for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation.

Also speaking to the press shortly after a tête-â-tête the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his host reaffirmed their resolve to work towards the full consolidation of the brotherly ties and cooperation between the two countries. They pledged to work together on the reform of the UN and the Security Council in particular. The Gambia commended the Islamic Republic Iran for its role in restoring peace and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile the Iranian leader has extended an invitation to the Gambian leader to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran. The invitation was gracefully accepted by President Jammeh.

Joint Communiqué

At the invitation of his brother and friend, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia; His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahamadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, paid an official visit to the Republic of The Gambia from 22nd to 23rd November 2009.

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was accompanied to The Gambia by a high ranking delegation comprising Her Excellency Mrs. Azam Farahi, First Lady of the Islamic Republic Iran; His Excellency Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Abasi, Minister of Cooperatives; His Excellency Ali Akbar Mahrabian, Minister of Mines and Industry, and other senior government officials. His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his delegation were met on arrival at the Banjul International Airport by His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia , Her Excellency the Vice President, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, His Lordship the Chief Justice, Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, National Assembly members, government officials, religious and traditional leaders, and a cross section of the Gambian society.

The purpose of the official visit of His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was to, inter alia; discuss the key tenets of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and the upcoming Fifth Joint Commission between the Republic of The Gambia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the visit, the two heads of state had a téte-téte discussion in the course of which they reviewed the political and economic situation in The Gambia and Iran, the developments on the African continent and the Middle East, as well as issues of common concern. The two heads of state expressed the need to fully consolidate the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. They also reiterated their resolve to work closely for the benefit of the two nations.

In reviewing the political and economic situation in the world, the two heads of state discussed the issue of stability and peace which is a key precondition for development. They also stressed their strong conviction that there can be no internal stability, peace and justice without regional peace and therefore undertake to cooperate in the fight against all forms of threat to peace, security, and progress in the interest of mankind.

Both sides noted the importance of peace and stability as the main pillars of development and progress and appreciated the efforts made by the regional and international organizations for the establishment of peace in different regions of the world.

Both sides also undertook to cooperate with each other on the reform of the structures of the United Nations and its main organs especially the UN Security Council.

Welcoming the positive approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran to have active cooperation with African countries, the two sides stressed the significance of holding an Iran-African Summit within the framework of cooperation with the African Union.

Both sides considered justice and human dignity as well as the need to address the root causes of Palestinian crisis as the most important solution to the problem and stressed the efforts to resolve it base on the complete restitution of the rights of the Palestinian nation and other nations of the region

The Gambian side has expressed its gratitude for the positive role the Islamic Republic of Iran played in the implementation of peace and security in Iraq and Afghanistan

The two heads of state also underscored the need for self reliance as it is the responsibility of all governments to develop their countries. In this regard, they undertake to promote entente and brotherhood and the sharing of best practices at the bilateral level and through multilateral arrangements under the aegis of South-South Cooperation. They also agreed to embark on joint actions within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OlC), and the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM). They reiterated the importance of justice, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law to global peace and security.

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, the Government, and people of the Republic of The Gambia for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their stay in The Gambia.

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad extended an invitation to His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh accepted His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's invitation to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran in the near future. The dates for the visit will be confirmed through diplomatic channels.

Done in Banjul this 23rd day of November 2009 in the English and Farsi languages, both texts being equally authentic.