Iraq investigates cross-border raids

RAMADI, Iraq, May 9 (UPI) -- Iraq called on Damascus to examine the deaths in Anbar province of 13 police allegedly killed by foreign fighters entering the country from Syria.

Security officials in Anbar province said gunmen entered Iraq from Syria and killed 13 policemen conducting border patrols in the area.

"The Iraqi government expects the Syrian authorities to conduct the necessary investigations to detect the head and members of the cell that committed this terrorist act in the border area of al-Qaem," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Voices of Iraq.

Al-Qaem lies about 20 miles outside the Syrian border along the Euphrates River.

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani welcomed former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and a delegation of high-ranking officials in Sulaymaniyah.

The delegation met with Talabani to discuss bilateral economic relations.

Primakov serves as the president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Talabani described Primakov as a dear friend of the Iraqis in general, and Kurdistan's people in particular," an official statement read.