Reuters: Australian PM meets Iraq's Maliki in Baghdad

17 Mar 2007 13:47:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, March 17 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard
met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Saturday.

Australia has about 1,500 troops in Iraq, of whom about 520 are in the
south, training Iraqi troops and providing security.

Howard has been one of U.S. President George W. Bush's most loyal allies
and has vowed to keep forces in Iraq "until the job is done" despite
growing public opposition to the war at home.

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Howard in mid-air scare

March 17, 2007 - 10:45PM

An RAAF Hercules carrying Prime Minister John Howard was forced to
make an emergency landing in southern Iraq last night after its cabin
filled with smoke.

All aboard were told to don oxygen masks.

The emergency came just minutes after the aircraft had taken off
from the Australian base in Tallil an area known for its insurgents
loyal to Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr.

Mr Howard had slipped secretly into Iraq yesterday to meet Australian
troops and talk strategy with senior US generals.

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