Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has arrived in Damascus, beginning his first visit to Syria since the country's civil war broke out in 2011.
Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on July 16. The two leaders discussed "increasing cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas, in addition to joint efforts to combat terrorism," a statement from President Assad's office said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right) welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the capital Damascus on July 16. Photo: SANA
"We are facing numerous challenges, first and foremost terrorism," Mr Assad said later at a joint press conference with Sudani Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Sudani told reporters that Iraq "has made great efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab League and its natural environment".
"We are looking for ways to fix the Syrian economy and find solutions to the consequences of the civil war," the Iraqi leader said, calling for the lifting of Western sanctions against Damascus.
Syria and Iraq share a 600km border flanked by desert swathes, where remnants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have taken refuge to carry out attacks. Cross-border drug trafficking is also rampant in the region.
In May, President Assad was welcomed back to the Arab League, his first appearance at the body since Syria was suspended in 2011 for allegedly suppressing pro-democracy protests that led to a protracted civil war.
Several Arab countries have sought to increase security cooperation with Syria, which is said to be gradually turning into a den of drug crime.
Vu Hoang (According to AFP )
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