Allawi begins first Russian visit

Iyad Allawi will talk business in meetings with Russian officials

Iraq interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has arrived in Russia on his first visit there since taking office.

He is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the three-day trip.

Russian officials are expected to push for the resumption of oil contracts cancelled by Iraq before war broke out in March 2003.

Russia opposed the Iraq war, but Moscow and Baghdad say they are intent on rebuilding their relationship and putting past bitterness behind them.

Moscow has promised to write off 90% of the debt built up by Iraq during the Soviet era.

'Major landmark'

Iraq's ambassador to Moscow, Abdel Mustafa, said Baghdad welcomed that gesture, and stressed: "There are no problems between our two countries."

Russia's presidential press service said the Mr Allawi's visit shows the "willingness to maintain and develop [the] traditional friendship and mutual advantageous co-operation that united our two countries long ago," Itar-Tass reported.

The Russian foreign ministry said Moscow supported elections due to be held in Iraq at the end of January.

"Elections to the transitional national assembly will be a major landmark," said spokesman Alexander Yakovenko.

Last week Mr Putin said that continuing violence in Iraq "will certainly call into question the chances of holding fair and democratic elections in Iraq".