Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has told his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that he supports Tehran's attempt to develop "peaceful nuclear energy in full respect of international accords". The Iranian leader is paying a one-day visit to Brazil as part of a tour of three South American countries; he will also visit Bolivia and Venezuela.

Around a thousand people demonstrated against the Iranian president during the weekend, including members of Jewish, gay and Christian groups. President Ahmadinejad is controversial because of his nuclear programme, his denial that the Holocaust took place and human rights violations in his country.

During the visit, President Lula urged his Iranian counterpart to continue contacts with other countries on the nuclear issue. However, on Monday Tehran again rejected a United Nations suggestion that Russia and France enrich Iran's uranium.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo by ANP/EPA