PM heads to Australia on Tues. for political, economic talks

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday will lead a high-ranking delegation to Australia on a few day visit that aims to develop political and economic relations between the countries, according to an informed source. “On Tuesday afternoon, Maliki will leave the country for Australia, leading a senior delegation that includes Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari, Trade Minister Abdelfalah al-Sudani, Industry Minister Fawzi al-Hariri and other officials,” a source close to the Iraqi government told IraqiNews.com news agency. Earlier today, an official government spokesperson, Ali al-Dabbagh, said in a press conference held at Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone that Maliki will soon visit Australia to discuss means of activating agro-industrial and scientific cooperation, and to Russia, France and Britain in April to enhance bilateral relations. SS (P) 1