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President Aliyev started his visit to his native Naxcivan autonomous republic on Saturday, the National Salvation Day, performing the inaugural ceremony of an Olympic center there.

Continuing his visit Monday, the President toured a military unit in Sahbuz, becoming familiar with military machinery and housing and social conditions of soldiers.

Addressing columns of officers and soldiers, President Aliyev recalled Azerbaijan and Armenian were still at war and stressed the need for a strong army. The President noted that strengthening the army was a priority for the state and said he would soon meet his Armenian counterpart Kocharyan to negotiate a peaceable solution to the Qarabag conflict.

The Azeri President was expected to tour a war lyceum in Naxcivan.

Unverified reports suggested Monday that President Aliyev visited the Turkish town of Igdir to meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.*