Syrian FM may make 1st visit to Iraq since 2003

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem is considering a visit to Baghdad, the first by a top Syrian figure since Saddam Hussein's fall in 2003, a Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday. "The idea is being considered, but no date has been set yet," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give statements to the press. In Baghdad, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said the two ministries had agreed "in principle" that al-Moallem would visit Iraq next month, but he did not give a date. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to make press statements.