Iraq, Serbia Bolster Defense Ties

BAGHDAD [MENL] -- Iraq and Serbia plan to bolster defense ties in a move
that could include joint weapons production.
Officials said Belgrade, a close ally of the former Saddam Hussein
regime, was discussing the transfer of defense technology and expertise to
Iraq. They said this would help rebuild Iraq's defense industry and maintain
the Russian-origin weapons arsenal.
"We are in the beginning of a process of rebuilding and reconstruction,"
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki said on Jan. 22.