International Development: Iran's president wants to reduce provincial poverty

On a visit to the western province of Ilam, Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, said his government is determined to put an end to poverty in the province.

The Mehr News Agency reports that Ahmadinejad, "referred to activities in the fields of urbanization, agricultural economy, industry and tourism as some of the plans the government pursues in the province".

He added that, "the global arrogance opposes the freedom of the Iranian people and is using all its military and economic might to deprive the Iranian nation of their rights. But Iran's brave, vigilant and conscious youth will not allow even a fragment of the nation's rights to be trampled upon".