Iranian foreign minister due in Iraq Sunday -- IRNA

TEHRAN, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif will start a visit to Iraq on Sunday for talks with senior officials on bilateral relations and key regional and international issues of common concern, the official news agency, IRNA, said on Saturday.
Minister Zarif will congratulate the Iraqi officials on formation of the new government and hold talks with the new prime minister on the bilateral relations and regional issues, IRNA said.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari visited Tehran in March and held talks with Iranian leaders on various topics, such as the campaign against terrorism, visits of Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims to either country, commercial and industrial exchanges and regional conditions.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Saturday denied alleged presence of Iranian military forces in Iraq, according to the official news agency.
The ministry spokeswoman said the Islamic Republic of Iran keeps close watch on field developments in Iraq, "with regards to mutual cooperation and international commitments and takes into consideration cooperation with the Iraqi government." Iranian-Iraqi relations have significantly improved since downfall of the former regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The latter's regime had engaged in an eight-year-long war with neighboring Iran in the 80s.
The two neighboring states are linked with intersection of interests on various issues of geopolitical nature and share a boundary that runs for 1,458 kilometers. (end) mw.rk