Iraq to open border crossing with Syria in coming days

Iraqi army chief-of-staff Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanmi said that Iraq plans to open a vital border crossing with Syria 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 said at a news conference broadcast by Syrian state television, Reuters reported.

The reopening of the border in al-Qaim, which Iraq closed in 2013, will boost trade links between Syria and Iraq and help their war-shattered economies.