Pakistan’s president arrives in Baghdad on official visit

By Mohammed Hamood Ali Al Ragawi and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA)— Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Saturday evening for an official visit.

Iraq’s presidency said in a statement that Zardari, who has arrived for an official visit, will be received with an official ceremony at Baghdad Palace on Sunday.

The reception will be followed by bilateral talks between President Abdul Latif Rashid and his Pakistani counterpart, preceded by expanded talks between the two sides, the statement said.

Zardari will undertake an official visit to Iraq from Dec. 20 to Dec. 24, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Iraq and Pakistan maintain diplomatic relations, which have seen mutual efforts to enhance cooperation in political, trade, and counterterrorism fields in recent years.