Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived in Syria Monday, the first time in 20 years an Iraqi head state has set foot in the country, in an attempt to ask for help to curb violence in the war-torn country. Syria has denied American charges of helping terrorists in Iraq battle the American-led coalition.
More than two millions refugees from Iraq have settled in Syria. Al-Maliki told reporters, "We will discuss the serious security file and its challenges, which concern not only Iraq but the whole region. We will discuss the Iraqi community and immigrants in Syria and the ways to provide them with services."