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France's Sarkozy flies to Iraq, to meet Talabani

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-10 15:18

MUSCAT, Oman -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Baghdad Tuesday morning for a surprise visit during which he will meet Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, French officials said.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech during the signing of an agreement with French car makers at the Elysee Palace in Paris, February 9, 2009. [Agencies]

It is the first visit to Iraq by a French head of state since the US-led invasion in 2003, which France opposed.

Sarkozy was traveling with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, the officials said.