First Iraqi travelers to Syria

In the first visit since ties between Iraq and Syria were severed in 1980, a first group of Iraqi travelers left for Syria on July 30 a travel Iraqi Agency said.

Iraq and Syria decided last month to reopen their borders after a closure of nearly 17 years.

Some 60 people aboard two buses travelled on July 30 to Damascus via the 865 km long Iraqi-Syrian highway for the first time since 1980. 23 travelers were Iraqi and the other were Syrians and Lebanese living in Iraq. Syria’s relations with Baghdad deteriorated in 1980, but signs of economic and diplomatic rapprochement have emerged over the past two months between the neighboring countries.

Syria wants to sell Iraqi goods under its oil-for-food deal with the United Nation.

Iraq said it was increasing heavily subsidized food rations in August made available under its oil-for-food deal with the United Nations. Rice and other essentials sold to Iraqis at give-away prices will be increased next month as more food bought under pact arrives in Baghdad.