Sarkozy on surprise visit to Iraq

IRAQ: French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Tuesday, the first ever trip to Iraq by a French head of state.

Sarkozy was welcomed in Baghdad by his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani, pictures broadcast on state television showed.

The French leader is in Iraq as part of a regional tour that will also take him to Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, where he is due later Tuesday.

During his visit to Baghdad, Sarkozy will also meet Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

BAGHDAD, Tuesday, AFP