This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6953928.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French foreign minister in Iraq French foreign minister in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad for a visit at the invitation of the country's president.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad for a visit at the invitation of the country's president.
The visit marks the first time a French minister has visited Iraq since it opposed the US-led invasion in 2003. The visit marks the first time a French minister has been to Iraq since it opposed the US-led invasion in 2003.
The French Foreign Ministry said Mr Kouchner was in the country to express a "message of solidarity" with the people of Iraq. The election in May of Nicolas Sarkozy as French president brought a big improvement in relations with the US.
It added that he would listen to "representatives of all communities". The French Foreign Ministry said Mr Kouchner was in the country to express a "message of solidarity".
The ministry's statement said: "At the invitation of Mr. Jalal Talabani, president of Iraq, the foreign minister has just begun an official visit to Baghdad.
"Bernard Kouchner is in Baghdad to express a French message of solidarity with the Iraqi people and to listen to the representatives of all communities."
Mr Sarkozy - who recently had informal talks with US President George Bush - has already said that the US could count on his friendship.