SANA'A -- Ways of expanding bilateral ties in various fields between Tehran and Sana'a were discussed during a meeting of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and his Yemeni counterpart Abubakr A. al-Qirbi here Friday, IRNA reported.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments on the fringes of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's visit here on a tour, which has already taken him to Lebanon and Syria.

The two ministers described the visit, which also includes Bahrain, as a "turning point" in boosting relations among those countries and in line with their interests as well as the interests of the whole region.

"After the end of the (U.S.-led) war against Iraq, all the Islamic countries in the region are faced with serious challenges and what merits special importance is to guarantee peace under the cooperation of regional countries," Al-Qirbi said.

Kharrazi said the roots of terrorism must be stemmed properly and fundamentally through regional and international cooperation.

"We are still faced with American wrong-doings in the region and American troops must withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible and leave the fate of that country to its people to decide," he added.

To confront existing threats and challenges, a new security set-up must be established under the collective cooperation of all the regional countries in order to realize stability and prepare the ground for their development and growth, the Iranian minister said.

He hoped that the upcoming meeting of the Islamic foreign ministers in Tehran late this month will provide a "suitable opportunity" to exchange views on these matters.

Foreign ministers of 50 Islamic countries will gather in Tehran through May 28 and 30 to discuss the latest developments of the Islamic world, including the fallout from the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.