Talabani visit a 'success'

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said his six-day visit to China is a success because it has consolidated the two countries' friendship and boosted their mutually beneficial cooperation.

Talabani is scheduled to return home today after paying the first visit by an Iraqi president since the two countries established diplomatic ties 49 years ago. He visited the ancient capital of Xi'an and Nanjing after spending two days in Beijing meeting with China's top leaders.

The Iraqi ambassador to China, Mohammad Sabir Ismail, has quoted Talabani as saying the trip has been "very successful". Urging China to forgive Iraq's debts was the biggest objective of Talabani's visit, and that has been achieved, Ismail said.