"... Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday met an aide to Iraq's acting prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, signalling a thaw in ties between the two men that could boost Maliki's chances of forming a government."We affirmed the depth of strategic ties between Syria and Baghdad," Abdul Hamid al-Zuhairi, a senior official in Maliki's Dawa party, told reporter. "There have been (anti-Syrian) statements by Iraqi figures, but that's behind us now," said Zuhairi, who headed a delegation that included a minister of state loyal to Maliki....
Having the backing of both Iran and Syria, two regional powerbrokers with large stakes in who rules Iraq, should boost Maliki's chances ..... Allawi has been a frequent visitor to Damascus. His list, which is backed by Sunni politicians, won most seats but he has not managed to secure enough support, especially from Shi'ite Islamist groups, to form a government. Unlike Maliki, Allawi does not have support from Iran, which has an alliance with Syria. Both countries have gained influence in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that removed Saddam Hussein from power and ushered in sectarian strife....
A diplomat in Damascus said Syria's secular leadership could work with Maliki, despite past differences ..."
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