Russian FM in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held meetings on Thursday with Iraqi leaders over the Syrian crisis, bilateral ties and counter-terrorism efforts, especially on joint defense contracts.

During his one-day visit, Lavrov and his accompanying delegation were received by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki in his office in Baghdad. The two sides discussed a range of "bilateral and regional issues, in particular the need for political solutions for the Syrian crisis, as well as means to fight terrorism," said a statement by Maliki office.

Maliki stressed Iraq's desire to cooperate with Russia to defeat terrorism, while emphasizing Iraq's need for weapons that are "specialized in fighting and chasing terrorist groups," as well as its interest in "exchanging security information."

The meeting comes at a time when Iraq is witnessing its worst violence in recent years, as militant insurgents launch nearly daily attacks and bombings on security forces and civilians.

"There must be joint international efforts to combat this evil (terrorism) collectively," Lavrov said, adding his country supports the Iraqi government and international efforts to combat terrrorism.

"We consolidate the Iraqi people in facing terrorism and we support the approach of the Iraqi leadership in taking all necessary measures to stabilize the country," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.

Arming the Iraqi forces was the focus of the discussions, Zebari told reporters, saying they discussed aircraft equipment and other technical equipment.

"We have long-term armament contracts with the Russian side, and we have been promised to speed up delivery of urgent arms to help Iraqi forces to confront the terrorism," he said.

Baghdad had signed weapons contracts with Russia worth more than 4.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2012, making Moscow Baghdad's biggest arms supplier after Washington.

Lavrov's visit to Iraq is the second for the top Russian diplomat to the country since the toppling of former president Saddam Hussein by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003. His last visit to the country was in May 2011.