Australian PM in Surprise Iraq Visit  
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

BAGHDAD: Australian Prime Minister John Howard came to Iraq on Saturday on an unannounced visit to meet Australian soldiers and his Iraqi counterpart Nuri al-Maliki, an Australian defence spokesman said.

Howard met some of the 1,450 Australian troops serving in Iraq near Baghdad airport shortly after his arrival before coming into the war-torn city for talks with Prime Minister Maliki, the official told reporters.

The two leaders were expected to hold a joint press conference, after which Howard plans to leave Iraq, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.●