Inside Iraq - The landmark visit to Iraq - 07 Mar 08 - Pt.1

The visit of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, to Iraq is seen as a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

The historic trip, the first by an Iranian leader since the Iran-Iraq war, sparked heated protests and outraged many Sunni Arabs.

Some political observers think this underscored how a growing Iranian influence in Iraq could aggravate the existing mistrust and further sour relations between Shia and Sunnis.

However, Iraqi political leaders appear determined to move closer to Tehran, despite American accusations that Iran finances and supports militias inside Iraq.