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| Iraq | |
| Syrian FM on surprise visit to Baghdad | |
| 2013-05-27 | |
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem landed in Baghdad on Sunday on an unannounced visit for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a senior government official said. It was unclear how long the visit would last and whether Muallem would meet with any other Iraqi officials.
His visit comes after Iraq on Saturday launched a massive operation to better secure its western desert amid concerns it is being used by militants heading to fight against President Bashar al-AssadÂ’s regime in neighbouring Syria. Among the rebels fighting AssadÂ’s regime are groups allied to Al Qaeda. That has fuelled fears in Baghdad of a spillover from war-torn Syria increasing tensions and violence in Iraq. Iraq has sought to publicly avoid siding either with AssadÂ’s regime or with rebel forces. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |