DAMASCUS, Aug. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Syria and Iraq agreed to open six mutual flights per week between Damascus and Baghdad in the near future, a senior Syrian official announced here on Sunday.

    It was also possible that the Syrian planes could fly over Iraqi airspace eastwards and southwards, Syrian Transport Minister Makram Obeid told a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Salam Oudeh al-Malki.

    Malki said the aim of his visit was to reactivate the role of joint transportation companies and enhance bilateral ties in the transport field.

    "We are linked with Syria by many ties, in addition to neighborhood and pan-Arabism, ... we have common history and we seek that Syria has a distinguished role in backing Iraq," he said.

    Earlier in the day, Malki held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which he described as "fruitful and successful".

    Malki said Assad underlined that Syria would support and helpIraq in its political and economic reconstruction.

    Malki arrived here on Saturday for a three-day visit. Enditem