Syrian PM in Baghdad

The Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustapha Miro, has arrived in Baghdad - the first such visit by a Syrian head of government since the two countries severed diplomatic ties in the 1980s.

Mr Miro is accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and businessmen.

Correspondents say the Syrians are expected to discuss increasing trade with Iraq under a United Nations programme that allows Baghdad to sell a limited amount of oil to import food and medicine.

Relations between Damascus and Baghdad have seen a steady improvement over the past few years with the reopening of borders and a substantial increase in trade.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service