At long last, a warm welcome in Baghdad

By Libby

Hey the President was finally welcomed into Baghdad with sweets and flowers. Too bad it wasn't our President.

BAGHDAD, March 2 (Reuters) - Pomp and ceremony greeted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his arrival in Iraq on Sunday, the fanfare a stark contrast to the rushed and secretive visits of his bitter rival U.S. President George W. Bush.[...]

His warm reception, in which he was hugged and kissed by Iraqi officials and presented with flowers by children, was Iraq's first full state welcome for any leader since the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Wow, what a concept. An announced state visit and quite a contrast to the way Bush sneaks in for his "surprise" visits. Has Bush even set foot in Baghdad since 2003?

Ahmadinejad's motorcade took Iraq's notoriously dangerous airport road to Talabani's palace at the start of his two-day visit, eschewing the helicopter trip usually taken by other visiting dignitaries as a security measure.

I see this guy is grumbling about why should Ahmadinejad worry? The terrorists love him. But it's the Iraqi government that's showering him with love and kisses. Marc apparently forgot that it was the invasion that made it all possible. I don't recall Saddam rolling out the welcome mat for Iranian heads of state.

Shaun has a photo and asks the $3 trillion dollar question. What does this say about the state of affairs in the Middle East?