Syrian PM visits Baghdad in fresh bid to boost ties

Baghdad: The Iraqi government says Syria's prime minister has arrived in Baghdad in a visit meant to further boost ties between the long strained neighbours.

Relations have recently improved although Iraq and the United States accuse Syria of allowing foreign fighters to cross into Iraq, a charge Damascus denies.

According to the spokesman, Prime Minister Naji Al Otari was greeted at the Baghdad airport by his counterpart Nouri Al Maliki.

Government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh says a high-level Syrian delegation is accompanying the visiting premier.

Syria and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in November 2006, ending a 24-year break that began when Damascus accused Iraq of inciting riots in Syria in 1982.