Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he's issued an amnesty decree for Egyptian prisoners in the country ahead of a state visit. Some 33 Egyptian prisoners will be set free under a blanket pardon and allowed to return to their native country, Middle East News Agency said Tuesday. The two nations had been discussing a prisoner exchange for more than a year, officials said. The decision came as Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Qandil visits Baghdad on an economic mission to foster greater cooperation between the Arab states.