TEHRAN The late Founder of Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini was a unique powerful leader and should be modeled by the countries and nations who don't want to be under dominance of other powers, said Cuban Leader Fidel Castro during a visit to the house of the late Imam in Jamaran.

Also meeting with the grandson of Imam Khomeini, Hojjatoleslam Hassan Khomeini, Castro said that the late Imam was still living in the heart of the Iranian nation. "It is overwhelming to have a leader with such a simple life and such a power to stand against world dominant powers," he said.

Iran and Cuba said Thursday they had agreed to take joint special measures against sanctions and pressures, imposed on the Third World countries.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday at the end of Cuban President Fidel Castro's visit to Tehran, the two countries condemned these pressures, saying they were in line with the creation of a domineering unipolar world order.

"Iran and Cuba consider imposition of economic pressures on independent countries as an inhuman act and condemn such measures which are in line with hegemonic policies aimed at creating a unipolar world order," part of the statement said.

Both Iran and Cuba are at present under U.S. sanctions.

The two countries have also pledged to continue their efforts for the establishment of a fair economic regime that helps the Third World countries to move on the road toward prosperity as well as social and economic development.

Iran and Cuba also condemned the dual and politically motivated treatment by some international bodies of certain countries in issues related to human rights and its use as a political weapon.

They stressed the role of cooperation instead of confrontation as a new formula for international detente.

Iran and Cuba condemned terrorism in all its shapes, especially state terrorism, saying they were interested to cooperate in the regional and international scope in this regard.

They described proliferation and stockpile of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction as a threat to world peace and security.

Meanwhile, Iran's First Vice President Dr. Hassan Habibi met and conferred with the Cuban president here on Wednesday evening.

Castro praised Iran's progress and developments despite its previous engagement in a devastating war for eight years and entangled with the drastically low oil prices in recent years.

Castro's visit was his first to Iran during his 42-year rule, in response to President Khatami's trip to Havana in September.

Castro left Tehran for Malaysia and Qatar on Thursday.

As he described, Cuban leader wound up his three-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran leaving Tehran with unforgettable memories on Thursday.

The Cuban leader was seen off by President Mohammad Khatami at Sa'd-Abad Cultural Center with the two heads of state, assessing the visit as constructive.

"I am assured that the friendship and respect between Iran and Cuba will deepen and become closer by this visit," Castro said at a joint press conference.

"I am leaving with a great hope for the future of Iran," he added.

Castro described his valuable negotiations conducted with Islamic Republic officials as successful, saying "I realized the meaning of true friendship in my visit to Tehran since everything that was put forward was serious, friendly and with mutual respect."