Ali al-Zaidi leaves Baghdad for Jordan leading an official delegation

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi left the capital Baghdad on Monday heading to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on an official visit during which he will lead a high-level delegation.

Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said in a statement via a video clip that al-Zaidi will hold a meeting with the Jordanian monarch King Abdullah II to discuss ways of bilateral cooperation and to review developments in the regional situation and the responsibilities these impose on the two countries.

Al-Aboudi added that the visit will include signing memoranda of understanding that open prospects for joint economic and development programs aimed at serving the interests of both peoples.

The spokesman pointed out that the timing of the visit reflects a shared vision between Baghdad and Amman to expand the scope of Arab and regional consultation in ways that support solutions preserving the security of the region and the stability of its peoples.

According to a source, al-Zaidi also plans to make official visits to Lebanon and Syria during this week.

The prime minister had visited the Saudi capital Riyadh last Wednesday as part of a Gulf tour that also included Kuwait.