Iraqi clerics hold talks with Japanese Premier

By: Khadija Chinese

TOKYO, Japan: An Iraqi delegation from Samawa, south of Baghdad, on Tuesday visited the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Tokyo through the invitation of a Japan organization.

During meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, the seven-member delegation that also included religious scholars Ma’ad Toma Saad Al-Waeli and Ali Salmon Jabar discussed Iraq situation with Koizumi. At the start of the meeting Koizumi bowed in sign of respect to the Iraqi guests.

Some 550 Japanese ground troops are stationed in Samawa to provide humanitarian assistance.

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