BAGHDAD, July 15 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said on Thursday he will embark on a tour of the Middle East next week in a bid to open a "new chapter" in relations with neighbouring countries.
Among the countries he plans to visit are Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Kuwait, Allawi told a press conference, adding that he also planned trips later to Iran, Pakistan and Europe.
In Cairo, Egyptian officials said Allawi was expected there next week for a meeting Wednesday of Iraq`s neighbours, the first such forum since the interim government took over from the US-led occupation at the end of June.
The one-day meeting will group ministerial level representatives from Egypt as well Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, an official said.