Iraqi army chief hopeful for opening of Syrian border as it moves towards stability

Iraq's armed forces chief of staff on Monday expressed hope that the country's border crossing with Syria would be opened in the coming days after meeting his Syrian and Iranian counterparts in Damascus.

"God willing the coming days will witness the opening of the border crossing and the continuation of visits and trade between the two countries," Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanimi said at a news conference broadcast by Syrian state television.