Talabani receives Abbas

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani received Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas at al-Salam Palace in Baghdad, a source close to the Iraqi presidency said on Sunday. “The two leaders held a session of talks on a host of issues, including bilateral relations and regional and international developments,” the source told IraqiNews.com news agency. Earlier in the day, an informed source said Abbas arrived in Baghdad on an official visit to Iraq where he is expected to have talks with Iraqi officials on cementing bilateral ties as well as regional and international developments. “Abbas arrived in Baghdad today (April 5) to discuss means to enhance bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest,” the source said. The visit comes after previous ones in light of Iraq’s Arab and regional openness. On March 25, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem paid an official visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials. On March 23, Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in Baghdad for a state visit, the first of its kind by a Turkish president in 33 years as the last visit by a Turkish president to Iraq was paid by Fahri Korutürk in 1967, the 6th president of the Turkish republic. These visits were preceded by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa’s visit to Iraq on March 16. Moussa held talks with President Jalal Talabani, his two vice presidents, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, his two deputy premiers, Minister of foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Defense Abdulqader Mohammed Jassem, Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bulani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Dulaimi and other officials. AmR (S)/SR 1