BAGHDAD 

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani spoke late Saturday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the telephone to discuss developments in Syria. 

A statement from Sudani's office said in the conversation, which also covered developments regarding the situation in the region, the prime minister emphasized that Syria's security and stability are closely linked to Iraq's national security.

Sudani also noted that the security and stability of both countries can be affected by regional security developments.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul