ABADAN, Khuzestan Province Iran has proposed Iraq to conduct joint search operations in joint border regions to locate remains of soldiers killed during the eight years of Iraq-Iran war. The two countries are carrying out joint search operations in Shalamcheh, in southwest Iran, at present. Commander of the Committee for Search for Those Missing in Action (MIAs) Brigadier General Mir Feisal Baqerzadeh told IRNA on Tuesday that the proposal was made to Iraqi officials during talks in Basra on Monday. Iran suggested Sumar and Mandali as the sites for second stage of joint search, he added.

The Iraqi officials present in the Basra talks are to convey the proposal to their superiors. An Iraqi team was scheduled to arrive in Khorramshahr, in this southwestern province, later Tuesday to hold talks on exchange of bodies. IRAQ HANDS OVER BODIES OF 53 MARTYRS TO IRAN Meanwhile, the bodies of 53 Iranian Muslim combatants who had been martyred during the eight years of Sacred Defense were handed over to the Iranian officials at Shalamcheh border crossing in this southwestern province on Tuesday. Brigadier General Baqerzadeh said that the bodies of 134 Iraqi militarymen were also handed over to Iraqi officials.

(IRNA)