Russian FM arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Thursday arrived in Baghdad on an official visit to hold talks with Iraqi leaders over the Syrian crisis, bilateral ties and promotion of cooperation between the two countries, an Iraqi official television reported. Lavrov is expected to meet with his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other top officials to discuss developments in the region, including the Syrian crisis, as well as means to enhance bilateral relations, the state-run Iraqiya channel said. The visit is the second for the top Russian diplomat to the country since the toppling of former President Saddam Hussein by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003. Lavrov last visited Iraq in May 2011.