January 15, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 24, 1427

DAMASCUS, Jan 14: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani arrived in Syria on Sunday on the first such high-level visit in three decades to a country accused by the United States of fuelling the violence in his homeland.

Talabani's trip comes just days after US President George W. Bush vowed to take tough action against alleged meddling in Iraq by both Syria and its main regional ally Iran.

It also coincides with a Middle East tour by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is seeking to shore up Arab support for Bush's new strategy in the war-ravaged nation.

Talabani will hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other officials during the trip, his first since Baghdad and Damascus restored diplomatic ties in November after a 26-year rupture.

“The aim of the visit is to evaluate and strengthen mutual relations for the benefit of both the countries,” said a statement from Talabani's office.

On Friday, an official from Talabani's office said the two presidents are to sign a number of agreements on security and trade.

Syrian Vice President Faruq al-Shara said on Wednesday that “rapprochement between the two countries is aimed at consolidating relations” and “is not happening because of external reasons” related to the United States.—AFP