Russian foreign minister in Baghdad

The Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, is in the Iraqi capital on the first leg of a Middle East tour.

Mr Ivanov, arrived in Baghdad by plane -- in line with Russia's view that international sanctions against Iraq nonetheless allow passenger flights.

Mr Ivanov is believed to be carrying a message from President Putin for the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein.

It's expected that Mr Ivanov's talks will focus on ways of resolving Iraq's problems in the wake of the Gulf War. Moscow has repeatedly urged the lifting of United Nations sanctions on Iraq; several members of parliament and many Russian businessmen have visited Baghdad since the international airport reopened in August. Mr Ivanov is also expected to visit Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service