Iraqi president starts historic Syria visit

Published January 14th, 2007 - 04:18 GMT

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Sunday arrived in Syria on the first such high-level visit in three decades.

 

Talabani is to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other officials during his stay, his first since Baghdad and Damascus restored diplomatic ties in November after a 26-year rupture. "The aim of the visit is to evaluate and strengthen mutual relations for the benefit of both the countries," said a statement from Talabani's office Sunday, according to AFP.

 

On Friday, an official from Talabani's office said the two presidents are to sign a number of agreements on security and trade.