BAGHDAD, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit Thursday and vowed to continue support for Iraq's reconstruction.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso(L) flanked by his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari gives a press conference in Baghdad Aug 3, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    Aso met with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshiar al-Zebari. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Aso said that the Japanese government will continue to support Iraq's reconstruction after a withdrawal of Japanese troops from Iraq.

    "Our support has entered the second phase," he said.

    During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral ties, the current situation in Lebanon, the latest developments in Iraq after the formation of a new government and the possibility for Japanese companies to take part in Iraq's reconstruction process.

    Aso was the first Japanese minister to visit Baghdad since the outbreak of the Iraqi war in March 2003. He reportedly granted a loan of about 29 million U.S. dollars to Iraq for its stagnant economy. Enditem

    TOKYO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday, Kyodo News reported.

    Aso talked with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad about economic aid and other reconstruction support issues following the withdrawal of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops from the war-torn country in mid July, Kyodo said, adding that the Iraqi officials appreciated Japan for its help.

    Anonymous Japanese government officials said Aso left Japan by a commercial aircraft on Wednesday night, and the Foreign Ministry has refrained from announcing the visit because of security concerns.

    The minister is scheduled to wrap up the trip by the end of the day and head back for Japan via Kuwait.

    This is the first visit to Baghdad by a Japanese minister since March 2003, when the U.S. led coalition army started striking Iraq.

    Analysts said the visit shows Japan's wish to promote partnership with Iraq, and Aso for his part is trying to use the opportunity to demonstrate his proficiency in active diplomacy, thus boosting his popularity for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election slated for Sept. 20.

    Former Japanese Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono paid a visit to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, where the GSDF was stationed, in late 2004, and his successor Fukushiro Nukaga visited the city at the end of 2005. Enditem