TEHRAN -- President Mohammad Khatami here on Sunday said that Tehran and San'a share common objectives and interests in the region.

In a meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's special envoy, Ali Muhammed al-Unsi, he said that Iran and Yemen have historic, cultural and religious bonds and urged the two countries' high-ranking officials to deepen mutual cooperation in all fields.

He said the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes any proposal for expansion of bilateral relations in the fields of technology, engineering and trade, IRNA reported.

Admiring the Yemeni government for its stance on the Muslim world's issues, especially the Palestinian crisis, he stressed that supporting the oppressed people of Palestine is a "moral duty" and will ensure the region's security.

Expressing satisfaction with global awareness of the Zionist regime's atrocities in occupied territories, the president expressed hope that all countries in the region will work to help the Palestinians achieve their rights.

Ali Muhammed al-Unsi, while submitting President Ali Abdullah Saleh's written message to Khatami, offered his country's condolences to the Iranian people and government on Saturday's earthquake.

Yemen, he said, admires the Islamic Republic of Iran for its 'positive stances' on regional and international arenas.

Referring to the long history of Iran, Yemen cultural cooperation, he called for expansion of mutual ties in different fields.

The official said the Yemeni people and government are looking forward to President Khatami's visit.