Iranian president visits Iraq for talks

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Baghdad on Monday on a three-day visit to Iraq for talks with Iraqi officials.

Leading a high-profile delegation, Rouhani was welcomed at Baghdad International Airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim, according to a source with the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Upon arrival, Rouhani visited the shrine of Imam al-Kadhim in the city of Kadhimiya before meeting his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih.

The Iranian leader will hold talks with Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and prominent Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani during his visit.

A host of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed on the sidelines of Rouhani's visit.

Iraq and Iran have enjoyed strong relations since the toppling of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 by a U.S.-led invasion.

Rouhani's visit appears to be highly focused on economic aspects in an effort by Tehran to boost trade and investment between the two sides at a time Iran is facing a raft of U.S. sanctions.

Trade between the two countries is estimated at $12 billion.

In November, the two sides said they were seeking to increase the volume of trade to $20 billion.