Iraq, under the regime of Saddam Hussein, the leader of the Ba'ath Party, had strong relations with Bachir, and Amine Gemayel.

Lebanon's prime minister traveled to Baghdad in August 2008, which was the only third such visit by a top Arab leader since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Fuad Saniora called his one-day trip an opportunity to renew contact after more than a decade of chilly relations between Beirut and Baghdad.

At a news conference alongside Saniora, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the two countries would sign several agreements soon, including one on Iraq exporting oil to Lebanon.

[1] Lebanon's majority leader, Saad Hariri visited Iraq in July 2008, followed by Jordan's King Abdullah II, the first Arab head of state to fly to Baghdad since the 2003 war.