Baghdad to ask Moscow to write off remainder of debt

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to ask Russia to write off the remainder of the country's debt to Moscow during a visit to the Russian capital in April, an Iraqi government spokesman said on Tuesday.

BAGHDAD, March 10 (RIA Novosti) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to ask Russia to write off the remainder of the country's debt to Moscow during a visit to the Russian capital in April, an Iraqi government spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The head of the Iraqi government will discuss writing off the remainder of the debt [to Russia]," Ali Dabbagh said.

He also said that the Iraqi premier would discuss Saddam Hussein-era business contracts, as well as efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

After former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was deposed in 2003, Iraq owed Russia $12.9 billion. However, the Paris Club, of which Russia is a member, subsequently took the decision to write off some 80% of Iraq's debts at the end of 2004. Moscow then cancelled 93% of Baghdad's debts.