Iraq, Syria leaders to hold talks on political deadlock (1st Lead)

Oct 13, 2010, 11:48 GMT

Damascus - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki landed Wednesday in Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar al- Assad on the political stalemate in Baghdad, diplomatic sources said.

The one-day visit is al-Maliki's first since Iraq's March 7 elections, which failed to produce an outright winner, or consensus on forming a new government.

The talks are expected to focus on efforts to form a government in Baghdad and bilateral economic matters, including the transport of Iraqi oil and gas through Syrian territory.

Prominent Iraqi politicians, including former prime minister Iyad Allawi - al-Maliki's rival - have recently visited Syria to discuss the political stalemate with regional powerbroker al-Assad.

Iraq and Syria recently restored full diplomatic relations, after decades of strained relations.

Last week, Baghdad reinstated its ambassador to Damascus, a year after a row that centred around allegations by al-Maliki that Syria was allowing terrorists to cross into Iraq to carry out bombings.

Al-Maliki is also expected to visit Iran and Jordan following his trip to Syria, according to Iraqi television.

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