IRAQI PRIME MINISTER MEETS IRAN’S RAISI

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhemi became the first foreign leader yesterday to visit and meet with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi since the hardliner took office in August.

“I hope we will witness expansion of good relations between Iran and Iraq,” Raisi said in a joint news conference in Tehran.

Raisi said Iraq had agreed to waive visas for Iranian pilgrims to Shiite holy sites in Iraq later this month on the occasion of Arbaeen marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain.

“Decisions were also made about the two countries’ financial issues that should be adopted,” Raisi said, without elaborating.

Iraq relies on Iranian gas and electricity, but imports have been irregular recently due to outstanding payments.

Iran’s state gas company said late last year that it had slashed supplies to Iraq over more than $6 billion arrears, placing Baghdad and other cities at risk of power shortages.