Iraq's Zebari says Baghdad meeting first step

Baghdad, Mar 10: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said he hoped a regional meeting in Baghdad today would lead to more gatherings in the near future to help stabilise his country.

''We hope this step is a start towards more steps in the near future for larger gatherings to reduce the tension,'' Zebari told delegates in his opening speech.

Iraq called the mid-level meeting to enlist support to end violence four years after the US invasion but it was also a rare opportunity for officials from Washington and Tehran to meet at a time of growing tension over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Reuters