DAMASCUS, July 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi expressed here Friday that Iraq hoped to develop solid relations with Syria, the official SANA news agency reported.

    Iraq wanted to "build solid and complementary relations based on the interest" of both countries, Allawi was quoted as saying upon his arrival Friday noon at the Damascus International Airport.

    "We must begin a new fraternal and sincere era of cooperation and coordination after the fall of the dictatorial regime in Iraq and the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people," said Allawi.

    Syria is the third leg of Allawi's maiden Mideast tour with an aim to open a "new chapter" in Iraq's relations with countries in the region.

    He just wrapped up his visit to Jordan and Egypt and will head for the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after Damascus tour.

    Upon his arrival, Allawi was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart Mohammad Naji Otri with a red carpet and honor of guards.

    During the visit, Allawi, who took office after sovereignty was formally remitted to Iraq on June 28, would hold talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and other senior officials on "developing bilateral ties and consolidating the Syrian-Iraqi cooperation in all fields", according to SANA.

    Border security and the large sum of money the former Saddam Hussein government had put in Syrian banks are also expected to be high on agenda of the talks. Enditem