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.