Iraqi leaders meet Egypt president and Jordan king

Iraq, Egypt and Jordan took a step toward deepening a regional alliance by holding tripartite talks in Baghdad on Sunday, in a first visit by an Egyptian head of state to the country in 30 years. Talks ranged from trade to Mideast crises.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was greeted by Iraq's President Barham Salih upon arriving Sunday morning.

It marked the first time an Egyptian president paid an official visit to Iraq since the 1990s when ties between both countries were severed after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.

Jordan's King Abdullah II arrived shortly afterwards, he and el-Sissi then met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for a third round of tripartite talks.

The meetings are seen largely as an attempt to neutralize Iran's influence across the region and have been welcomed by the U.S.

Al-Kadhimi also aims to shore up regional alliances and bolster Iraq's standing in the Middle East as a mediator capable of bringing even the staunchest of foes to the negotiating table.

Baghdad recently hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia focusing on the war in Yemen.

IMAGE: AP