On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister also met with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi who said that Iran is ready to participate in reconstruction in Iraq, Press TV reported.

"Iran will spare no effort to help Iraq reconstruct and develop, " Rahimi was quoted as saying.

"Iran regards progress and security of Iraq as its own progress and security," Rahimi said, "the two countries can make use of their capacities to expand relations in all fields."

Maliki said he appreciated Iran's support for Iraq's security and national unity and stressed the significance of forging unity among regional countries, Press TV said.

The Iraqi prime minister arrived in Tehran on Monday for a day- long visit and he is scheduled to visit Turkey and Egypt as part of a tour to some neighboring and regional countries to seek support for his premiership and to urge the countries to keep equal distances from all Iraqi political parties.

Maliki, fighting for another term for the prime minister post, is facing bitter resistance from his rival Ayad Allawi, head of the cross-sectarian political bloc who narrowly won the March 7 vote.