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Iraq PM to Visit Iran

16 October 2010 20:47 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Iranian media say Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will visit Iran Monday, as he seeks regional support for his bid to stay in power, APA reports quoting Press TV.

Iranian television reports that during his stay, Mr. Maliki will discuss developments in Iraq with top Iranian officials.

Iraqi parliamentary elections in March produced no clear winner, and no party has been able to form a new government.

Mr. Maliki is trying to form an alliance that will give him the parliamentary seats to form a government. He recently won the backing of the Shiâ€™ite movement led by influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, moving him a step closer to his goal.

Mr. Maliki is now seeking the support of Iraqâ€™s neighbors. He met Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus to discuss strengthening ties between their countries. He is also due to travel to Turkey and Jordan.

Mr. Malikiâ€™s main rival, former prime minister Ayad Allawi, has also been reaching out to Middle East leaders. He discussed Iraqâ€™s political situation with Saudi King Abdullah a few days ago in Riyadh.

Iranâ€™s Fars news agency reported that Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al Bolani arrived in Tehran Friday to lay the groundwork for Mr. Malikiâ€™s visit. Fars said that Bolani planned to meet with his Iranian counterpart, Mustapha Mohammed Najjar, to discuss border security and trade issues.