Iraqi president starts historic Syria visit

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Sunday arrived in Syria on the first such high-level visit in three decades.

Talabani is to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other officials during his stay, his first since Baghdad and Damascus restored diplomatic ties in November after a 26-year rupture. "The aim of the visit is to evaluate and strengthen mutual relations for the benefit of both the countries," said a statement from Talabani's office Sunday, according to AFP.

On Friday, an official from Talabani's office said the two presidents are to sign a number of agreements on security and trade.