Iran Majlis speaker leaves Tehran for Iraq to hold talks

Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has left Iran for Iraq to hold talks with Iraqi officials regarding bilateral economic and political relations as well as international issues.

Heading a parliamentarian delegation, Larijani left Tehran on Tuesday for a three-day visit to Iraq upon an invitation by Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi.

“During [the visit,] the most important issues regarding cooperation between the two countries in economic and political fields and regional and international issues will be discussed,” Larijani told reporters before leaving Tehran.

Iran’s Majlis speaker is scheduled to hold talk with senior Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Pointing to Iraq’s presidency over the Arab League and Iran’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Larijani said Tehran and Baghdad have vast capacities for cooperation and influencing regional relations among countries.

Iran assumed the rotating presidency of the NAM for a three-year term during the 16th NAM Summit that was held in the Iranian capital on August 26-31.

Last week, Larijani visited Turkey, Syria and Lebanon during a two-day regional tour in order to discuss issues ranging from bilateral cooperation to regional developments.