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October 12, 2008 3:26:35 PM CDT

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Iranian Prez Arrives in Iraq

Posted Mar 2, 08 8:23 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – In an historic visit, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Iraq today predicting “a new chapter” for relations between the two countries, despite a tense history and a feud with Baghdad’s American allies. Ahmadinejad, who won’t be protected by US forces during his two-day trip, met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and will sit down with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Ahmadinejad said his trip was designed to deepen “brotherly ties” between the Shiite-led countries, but in Iraq, where his American foe maintains 150,000 troops, it’s also symbolic, Reuters says: No Iranian president has visited Iraq since Saddam Hussein launched a bloody eight-year war against Iran in 1980. “A visit to Iraq without the dictator is a truly happy one,” Ahmadinejad said.

Sources: Reuters, AFP, Daily Telegraph (UK)

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani stand during a welcome ceremony in Baghdad, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday in Baghdad for the first-ever...   (Associated Press)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad smiles during a press conference in Baghdad, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday in Baghdad for the first-ever trip by an Iranian president to Iraq....   (Associated Press)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, and his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani shake hands after a press conference in Baghdad, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday in Baghdad for...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Iraq war  • Iran  • United States  • Nouri al-Maliki  • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  • Shiite  • Saddam Hussein  • Sunnis  • Jalal Talabani  • Iran war


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