TEHRAN -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, in a meeting with visiting Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad, here on Sunday underlined the importance of safeguarding the region's security and stability.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Khatami said that because of the region's global importance it faces numerous crises and threats.

"The Islamic Republic believes that it is the duty of regional governments to help maintain stability and safeguard the interests of regional states and the world in a wider context through cooperation and mutual respect," he said.

The Iranian chief executive further said that in today's world no government can meet its objectives through expansionism and monopoly.

He noted that Iran and Kuwait, as two states that have suffered from war and opposing interests, naturally do not agree with the planned U.S. assault on Iraq because it will invariably lead to another set of damages and problems to the Iraqi nation with certain repercussions on the region.

The president expressed the hope the Iraqi government will honor the UN resolutions pertinent to its alleged dangerous weapons programs and thereby remove any pretext for countries to be present in the region and to intervene militarily.

Khatami referred to Tehran's policy of detente, friendship and non-interference in the affairs of other states, and reiterated that Iran's defense and security cooperation with regional countries will not threaten any government but, on the other hand, help strengthen security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad, for his part, stressed the importance of current Kuwait-Iran cooperation and exchange of views as a means of resolving existing problems in the region.

He also expressed hope the two sides can further enhance their relations in the defense, economic, scientific and technical fields.

The Kuwaiti defense minister arrived here Sunday and was received at Mehrabad International Airport by his Iranian counterpart, Shamkhani.

Tehran believes his three-day visit comes at a most crucial time and that the crises facing the region can best be tackled through an exchange of views.