Iraqi PM visits Syria in first high level meeting since start of Syrian conflict

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, the first visit by an Iraqi premier since 2011.
The leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, economy, transportation, tourism, climate change, counterterrorism and security along their shared 600 km border.
Defeating Islamic State militants and preventing their return is a key priority, after the group previously controlled territory in both countries.
Reopening an oil pipeline from Iraq to Syria's Mediterranean coast for exports was also on the agenda.
The visit signals warming ties between Iraq and Syria after years of isolation under the ongoing Syrian conflict.