ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The scheduled trip of Asaad al-Shaibani, foreign minister in Syria’s interim government, to Baghdad has been postponed until further notice due to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s visit to Damascus, the Iraqi prime minister’s office told The New Region.

Shaibani was set to visit the Iraqi capital on Saturday, marking the first visit of a delegation from the new Syrian administration to the neighboring country.

The Iraqi prime minister’s office confirmed to The New Region that the trip is still on, but has been postponed until further notice, citing an anticipated visit of the Lebanese premier to the Syrian capital.

Security coordination, resumption of flights, and restarting bilateral trade activities are expected to be highlighted during the Syrian foreign minister’s visit to Iraq, as the two sides slowly work toward establishing ties following an initial hesitance from Baghdad.

On Saturday, Shaibani, alongside Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, received an Omani delegation in Damascus headed by the Special Envoy of the Sultan of Oman Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Hinai.

Since the start of their “Deterring Aggression” campaign in late November, which ultimately led to the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the now-rulers of Syria have repeatedly stressed that they do not pose a threat to Iraq and its security, and expressed their desire to develop strategic ties with Baghdad.

The Iraqi government was a staunch supporter of the Assad regime, but has slowly moved toward establishing relations with the new administration in Damascus.

After weeks of hesitation, an Iraqi delegation, headed by Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri, arrived in Damascus on December 26 to meet with the new government.