The continued presence of Americans is worsening the Iraqi crisis, visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said in Abuja Wednesday.

"Today in Iraq, instead of peace, there is increased terror and instability. We are against these continuous attacks," Khatami said.

Giving a lecture entitled "Harmony, peace, equality and tolerance in a heterogeneous society" in Nigerian capital Abuja, Khatami affirmed his country's quest for peace, but said that such could only be rooted on the basis of justice.

He challenged the United States to talk about cohesion, saying that the world must rise against violence and terror.

Khatami emphasized on the need for a strong and secured African continent, noting that such would also aid the Arab world's quest for stability.

He lauded the New Partnership for Africa's Development project aimed at the development of African nations and called for genuine pursuit of its goals to emancipate the continent.

"From underdevelopment, Africa has taken steps to pass through colonialism. This is commendable," he said.

He urged African countries to strive for economic independence, saying that it was only after that that they could enjoy full sovereignty.

The Iranian president described Africa as "full of potentials" and called for concerted efforts to exploit the resources.

Khatami, who started a three-day visit to Nigeria on Tuesday, is expected to round off bilateral talks with his host on Thursday.

He is the first Iranian president to visit Nigeria.

Source: Xinhua