Assad's Foreign Minister landed in Baghdad

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem landed in Baghdad on Sunday on an unannounced visit for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a senior government official said.

It was unclear how long the visit would last and whether Muallem would meet with any other Iraqi officials.

"The foreign minister of Syria, Walid Muallem, arrived in Baghdad at the head of a Syrian delegation," the official said. "He will meet Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki."

His visit comes after Iraq on Saturday launched a massive operation to better secure its western desert amid concerns it is being used by armed groups heading to fight against President Bashar al-Assad's regime in neighbouring Syria.