Iran 'successfully' tests new missile

       Iran has successfully test-fired a new generation of its longer range surface-to-surface missile using solid fuel, making them more accurate than its predecessors, the defense minister announced Wednesday. Mostafa Mohammed Najjar said on state television that the Sajjil was a high-speed missile manufactured at the Iranian Aerospace department of the Defense Ministry. He said it had a range of about 1,200 miles. At that range it could reach Greece and Bulgaria in southeastern Europe, as well as easily strike arch-foe Israel. Solid fuel missiles are more accurate than the liquid fuel missiles of similar range currently possessed by Iran, The official IRNA news agency said the test was conducted Wednesday and television showed the missile being fired from a launching pad in a desert region. "This missile is a two-stage weapon with two combined solid-fuel engines and has an extraordinary high capability," the television quote Najjar as saying. He didn't elaborate. (20,35)