Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadineyad started here on Wednesday a 24-hour official visit to Cuba, which includes talks with Cuban leader Raul Castro.

Ahmadineyad arrived in Cuba at noon local time (17:00 GMT), hours later than scheduled, and was welcomed at the airport by Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo. But he then left the airport without giving a speech.

Ahmadineyad is scheduled to give a lecture on Wednesday at the Havana University before laying a wreath to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti. Later he will hold official talks with his counterpart Raul Castro.

His visit is part of a Latin American tour which also takes him to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

He is scheduled to leave Havana Thursday morning for Quito, Ecuador.

Official sources have not confirmed yet if Ahmadinejad will meet with the former leader Fidel Castro.

Cuba and Iran have friendly and collaborative ties, supporting each other at the international political forum.