HIGHLIGHTS: Zemin Already Visited Germany, Libya, Tunisia & Nigeria.
In Tunisia, Zemin Called For Immediate Israeli Withdrawal.
Chinese Leader Accompanied by 180-People Political & Business Delegation.

STORY:Chinese President Jiang Zemin kicked off a four-day visit to Iran last night with his arrival in the southern city of Shiraz, an official source said.

Jiang, who was coming from Tunisia with a political and business delegation of 180 people, will tour Shiraz and the ancient ruins of Persepolis on Friday.

He will head to Tehran Saturday for talks with Iranian leaders, including President Mohammed Khatami.

Jiang is expected to look to boost the two countries' political and economic ties and also to review the volatile situation in the Middle East.

Jiang's visit is the second by a Chinese head of state to Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

In Tunisia, Zemin and his Tunisian counterpart Zine el Abidine Ben Ali called Thursday on Israel to "withdraw immediately" from occupied Palestinian territories, a Tunisian presidential spokesman said.

Iran is the final stop on Jiang's tour that has also taken him to Germany, Libya and Nigeria.  

SOURCE: TEHRAN (AFP).