The Minister of Roads and Transportation of Iraq's transitional government, Behnam Zia Bolus, on Saturday arrived in Iran via Khosravi border in the city of Qasre Shirin, western Iran, IRNA reported.

Once he passed the border and entered Iran, Bolus was officially welcomed by Qasre Shirin governor, Hossein Khosh Eqbal and a number of city officials.

The visit of the minister and his entourage has to do with meeting and holding talks with Iranian officials on matters of mutual interest.

In a meeting held at Qasre Shirin border terminal, Bolus and Khosh Eqbal exchanged views on facilitating the pilgrimage to Iraq's sacred places through Khosravi border.

For his part, the governor called for providing the Iranian pilgrims with proper facilities during their visits to the shrines of the descendants of Shi'ite Imams in Iraq.

The Iraqi minister and the accompanying delegation left for Tehran at the end of the meeting to confer with Iranian officials.

... Payvand News - 1/31/04 ... --