Further development of Syrian-Iraqi relations

The Iraqi daily al-Qadiseyah said on Saturday that the Iraqi authorities are currently developing three Iraqi border complexes with Syria in light of developing relations between them.

The paper added that work continues at the present to develop and expand Iraqi border complexes with Syria in the three areas of al-Walid, al-Qaeym and Rabeeya.

The general supervisor for al-Walid complex, Abdul Hamid Yassin Ibrahim, told the paper that the principal objective of the project to develop the complexes is to provide facilities for all those who visit Iraq.

In this context AFP reported from Baghdad, quoting owners of transport companies, that several Iraqi minibuses and small cars head for Damascus on daily basis, whereas big vehicles from Syria arrived in Iraq loaded with various commodities for Iraqi traders.

The Iraqi "al-Iraq" and "al-Shabab" television channels air advertisements for several Syrian commodities, especially plastic products, shampoo, perfumes and garments.