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Iranian FM arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders

Xinhua, July 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on an official visit to meet with the Iraqi leaders following a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, the official television reported on Monday.

The state-run Iraqiya channel said that Zarif is expected to meet his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as the Iraqi President Fuad Masoum, and other Iraqi top officials.

Earlier in the day, Zarif visited the holy Shiite city of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad, and met with Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, during which Zarif presented details about the nuclear talks as well as the threats that endanger the region.

"We make the tour in the Gulf region immediately after the end of the nuclear talks to discuss the dangers that threaten all of us," Zarif told reporters after his meeting with Sistani.

He said that Sistani has called for a joint coordination among all countries in the region to combat extremism and terrorism.

Zarif's visit to Iraq came as part of his tour that started on Sunday to Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq with the aim of briefing the high ranking officials of the three countries on the latest result of the nuclear talks, in addition to exchanging views on bilateral relations and recent regional developments.

On July 14, the comprehensive agreement, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was clinched after more than two weeks of tough negotiations in Vienna, Austria's capital city, between Iran and the P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany.

The landmark deal is expected to put Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program.

Iran has been a target of UN sanctions due to its alleged attempts of building nuclear weapons. The West accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under cover of civilian nuclear programs, which Iran denies. Endit