Foreign Minister John Baird visits Iraq; announces opening of diplomatic mission

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Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird responds during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, November 23, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

BAGHDAD – John Baird arrived in Iraq today for a rare visit to the country by a Canadian foreign affairs minister.

A Canadian Foreign Ministry statement said Baird announced the opening of a diplomatic mission in Iraq.

It said the minister said the opening in Baghdad expresses Canada’s intention to expand its engagement with Iraq.

An Iraqi government official said the visit was to be for one day.

Baird was in Jordan on the weekend. The visits are part of a broader tour of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Cyprus and Israel.

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