Baghdad, May 18, IRNA � Iran�s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan arrived here on Monday at the head of a leading delegation.

He is visiting Iraq upon the official invitation of his Iraqi counterpart Khalid al-Obeidi.

The Iranian minister is to confer with Iraq�s president, prime minister, ministers of interior as well as foreign and defense affairs, members and head of Iraqi parliament�s defense committee and a number of leading political figures.

He is to discuss issues of mutual interest with Iraqi officials and explore ways to expand defense and military cooperation and promote cooperation against terrorism to create a secure and stable region.

By IRNA