Iraqi PM officially welcomed by Ahmadinejad

Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki here Tuesday was officially welcomed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Al-Maliki, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived here this morning for a two-day visit to review issues of mutual interest with senior Iranian officials. During the welcoming ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries were played and the two officials reviewed a guard of honor. The Iraqi premier was welcomed upon his arrival at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport by Energy Minister Parviz Fattah. The Iraqi premier is visiting the country for the first time since he took control of the Baghdad government and is here upon an invitation of the Iranian president. During his two-day stay, Al-Maliki will meet with President Ahmadinejad and several other senior Iranian officials. Avenues to bolster Tehran-Baghdad relations as well as regional and international developments, particularly the current situation in Iraq, will top the agenda of talks between the two sides. The Iraqi premier is accompanied by a number of cabinet ministers and National Assembly deputies